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Commissioners debate $300,000 consultant for comprehensive zoning-code update
Summary
Commissioners discussed whether to fund a comprehensive zoning-code update (up to $300,000 onetime), weighing the speed and scope of hiring an outside consultant against using in-house planners and a longer timeline.
Commissioners considered funding a comprehensive zoning-code update and whether to hire an outside consultant for the work. Staff and commissioners said the update could take two to three years with a consultant, or five to six years in-house.
Proponents argued a consultant brings comparative experience and datasets from other counties and would shorten the timeline. Opponents urged training county or city planning staff to take on the work to build internal capacity and avoid the consultant price tag. Staff noted the $300,000 figure is a maximum onetime estimate and the work would likely span multiple years, with some funds placed in equipment/reserve and spent over time.
Several commissioners voiced support for a one-time allocation if it is needed for a timely overhaul; others preferred incremental staffing investments and cautioned against diverting limited zoning staff from customer service to a large rewrite without outside assistance.
Next steps: staff will clarify timeline estimates and RFP plans and include any consultant funding requests in equipment-reserve planning and multi-year budgeting.
