Planning commission approves memorandum to join county on comprehensive plan work, but funding language flagged

The Brown County Planning Commission voted to approve a memorandum of agreement to work with the county commissioners on a comprehensive plan consultant, after a discussion about how the plan would be funded.

"The plan commission and the board commit to providing funds sufficient to cover the professional services fees and expenses of the consultant," Committee member 2 read from the draft memorandum; several commissioners said the line in the draft is currently marked "TBD" and expressed concern that the planning commission lacks the budget to make such a commitment without an appropriation or grant.

Legal and procedural questions were raised about whether the commission should sign a memorandum that includes an open funding commitment. Agency official noted the language could be qualified "subject to appropriation or the payment of grant funding." Committee members said they did not want the planning commission on the hook for funding it cannot provide; one member suggested the board of commissioners could be asked to contribute funds or the group could pursue grants.

A motion to approve the memorandum was made, seconded and put to a roll-call vote; the chair declared, "Motion carries." The commission instructed staff to proceed with the memorandum while clarifying funding language and to track any required appropriations or grant applications before work begins.