LIRM presents 2027 budget; proposes elimination of a clerk 3 position and digital permitting investments

Mandy outlined the department’s proposed 2027 budget and organizational changes: she said the county proposes eliminating one clerk 3 position (vacated by a 2025 retirement) and upgrading two clerk 2 positions to clerk 3 to absorb duties—yielding a net reduction of one full-time equivalent. She described this as part of an effort to create efficiencies, noting a "slight decrease, a little over $2,000 compared to LERM's budget last year."

Staff also flagged an anticipated small-scale TRIM grant (award pending one more state board meeting) expected to begin on 2027-01-01, a capital project using TRIM funds for conservation practices on the county farm, and a multi-year software migration and digital permitting initiative intended to reduce in-office footprint and speed permit turnarounds. A committee member emphasized the long-term trade-offs and asked staff to include the software request when next year's budget is considered.