Draft petition would create contracted Prairie County planner with broad enforcement duties, participants warn

The petition includes detailed language establishing a 'Prairie County planner' role as a contracted entity charged with administration, interpretation and enforcement of land-use regulations. Meeting participants noted the checklist of duties — issuing permits and variances, accepting appeals, investigating non-compliance and reporting recommendations to commissioners — and called out the likely administrative and enforcement costs the county could face if the post or equivalent workload is required.