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23 <br />new Environment and Resource Conservation Department. Two new <br />permanent positions (a Natural Resource Conservation Manager and an <br />Administrative Assistant position) would be created to meet needs not <br />available from current Planning personnel. Finally, one current position <br />(retitled Land Use and Preservation Planner) is recommended to be shared <br />between the Planning Department and the ERCD -with reconfigured job <br />duties to meet needs in both departments (please see Section C below, and <br />Appendix B). <br />The recommended personnel and related costs for the new department are <br />shown in Attachment B, Recommended Personnel and Costs for the <br />Environment and Resource Conservation Department. <br />B. Equipment Needs <br />Likewise, equipment needs for the new department can largely be met using <br />existing resources. It is recommended that each of the re-assigned staff keep <br />their existing personal computers, office furniture and storage space in the <br />new configuration. One existing GIS workstation would be dedicated to the <br />new department, with a shared arrangement with Planning for the second <br />workstation/digitizing table. A new printer and furniture/PC's for the new <br />Natural Resource Conservation Manager and Administrative Assistant would <br />be purchased. Existing network linkages between Planning and the <br />department would be retained, for both personal computers and GIS <br />workstations. <br />C. Space Needs <br />In the immediate short-term, no changes to existing office arrangements are <br />recommended through the end of calendar year 1998. In the meantime, staff <br />will continue to explore two alternative configurations in the Planning <br />Department and/or a portion of the Planning/Agricultural Center breezeway. <br />One of these two options would be undertaken in 1999 to provide a distinct <br />space for the new department utilizing existing building resources. <br />D. Budgetary and Other Recommendations <br />1. Since a re-assignment of personnel and tasks would occur from Planning <br />to the ERCD, a concurrent transfer of related funds to a new budget would <br />be needed. The administration and staff will work with the Budget Director <br />to transfer relevant funds from the Planning Department budget to a new <br />ERCD budget. <br />2. While a significant portion of the existing Land Use and Environmental <br />Planner's current duties would be transferred to the new department <br />(please see Appendix B), responsibilities related to the Land Use Element <br />of the Plan, demographics and Township Advisory Councils will remain in <br />Planning. As such, I am recommending that the existing Special Projects <br />