Consultants lay out timeline for Daniels County growth‑policy update

Interstate Engineering representatives told the Board of County Commissioners they will lead a structured update to Daniels County's 2017 growth policy, including targeted outreach and an implementation table in the final document.

"So in this is the growth policy from 2017. From my understanding, the last, like, 7 pages are missing," said Rachel Laque, Interstate Engineering's lead planner, describing why the planning board had requested an update. Laque proposed a mostly digital public-input survey in September–October, draft plans from November through April, a joint early draft meeting with the county and planning board in January or February, and a public input meeting timed with the planning board in April.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the county needs a clear implementation plan tied to grant opportunities. Laque said the timing aims to allow the updated plan to feed into the next round of commerce grant cycles and to include an implementation table this time.

Commissioners requested copies of the county zoning map and asked staff to coordinate timing with the city of Scobey so draft recommendations steer development toward existing centers when appropriate. Laque said the update will include demographic and service‑capacity questions to inform policy options and implementation steps.

Next step: Consultants will post the public survey in September, run it through October and return to the county with a draft for joint review in January–February. The county will receive a presentation and a public input session in April, with a target adoption mid‑May.