Clinton County board keeps planning and zoning at county level, approves township payment plan starting 2027

The Clinton County Board of Commissioners voted on March 12 to preserve county-level Planning and Zoning services and to require townships to share in the annual shortfall beginning in 2027. Commissioner Zach Rudat moved "that the County preserves Planning and Zoning at the County level indefinitely," a motion seconded by Commissioner Nicole Fickes; the motion carried on a 4–3 roll-call vote.

Administrator/Controller John Fuentes summarized packet materials before the discussion, after which the board debated service delivery and funding options. Commissioners then considered funding responsibility, and Commissioner Robert Showers moved — later amending his motion — "to create an equitable payment system that will recognize what each Township should contribute to the yearly shortfall beginning in 2027." The amended payment-motion passed by roll call, 4–3.

The roll-call results on the preservation motion were: aye — Commissioners Rudat, Fickes, Hurtekant and DeLong; nay — Commissioners Andrews, Showers and Washington. For the amended payment-motion the ayes were Commissioners Andrews, Showers, Washington and Hurtekant; the nays were Commissioners Rudat, Fickes and DeLong.

The board did not record additional implementation details in the minutes beyond setting the policy direction and an effective year of 2027. The motion record indicates townships will be "responsible to take care of the shortfall for the Planning and Zoning services that they use," with the equitable payment system intended to allocate contributions among townships.