Commission debates timeline for RFP, fee changes and required housing hearing

Commissioners and planning staff discussed sequencing for a request for proposals (RFP) on a comprehensive plan update, fee hearings and the statutorily required housing hearing. Staff said she hoped to have an RFP draft ready by the next meeting and outlined timing constraints tied to statutory waiting periods.

Staff noted publication requirements that add lead time: "Getting into the Brown County Democrat too because everything has to be published," staff (speaker 2) said, underscoring the need for additional lead time for notices. Commission members discussed whether the fee schedule and RFP should be on next month’s agenda or delayed given competing workload and statutory windows (fees often require ~180 days after approval to take effect). One commissioner urged caution to leave enough time to address state-mandated items and recommended relying on staff judgment about priorities.

Next steps: staff will prepare the RFP draft and bring a proposed fee schedule and hearing dates to the commission at the next meeting, with a view to meeting statutory publication and waiting-period requirements.