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Council authorizes up to $50,000 for interim planning staffing from Michael Baker
Summary
Council approved a professional services agreement with Michael Baker International to provide interim planning and zoning staffing through Dec. 31, 2026, capped at $50,000. Staff described the contract as 'leasing an employee' on hourly rates to maintain continuity while the town recruits an associate planner.
The council authorized the town administrator to finalize and execute a professional services agreement with Michael Baker International to provide interim planning and zoning staffing services through Dec. 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $50,000.
Kristen Cray explained the town used salary savings from an existing vacant position to fund earlier short-term support and requested the contract to extend services through year end to maintain development-review continuity while an associate planner is recruited and onboarded. "Think of this kind of as leasing an employee, rather than hiring an employee right now," she said, explaining the contract is hourly with different rates depending on the level of staff used, and that Stacy will manage usage.
Council members supported the step as a pragmatic response to lean staffing and upcoming work demands; staff said the town has sufficient budgeted savings to cover the expense and will stop using the contract if the new associate planner is hired and up to speed.
