Commissioners agree to pursue town–county planning board and appoint two members

County staff described a town request to convert the county planning board into a town–county (city–county) planning board so the town can use a $24,000 grant to create a growth policy. The staff presentation explained that state statute requires the board to expand from seven to nine members and that membership includes specified slots for town‑resident appointees and a conservation‑district designee.

"The most logical solution is to create a town, county, planning board," the staff presenter said, recommending a shared interlocal agreement and that the town pay roughly half of ongoing costs. Commissioners discussed statutory membership, staggered terms and potential continuing expenses after the initial grant pays for the first growth‑policy work.

Speaker 1 moved that the county "proceed with an interlocal agreement for a town county planning board," and Speaker 4 seconded; commissioners agreed to start the interlocal process while reserving final funding decisions for a later local agreement.

Separately, Speaker 4 moved and Speaker 1 seconded appointments of Megan Metcalfe and Dennis Cove(e) to the planning board; commissioners voted 'Aye' and confirmed term lengths and staggering to avoid losing multiple members at once.

The board directed staff to draft an interlocal agreement and estimate recurring costs before the county commits to a final funding arrangement.