Agenda - 10-06-1998 - 10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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16 C. Space Needs In the immediate short-term, no changes to existing office arrangements are recommended through the end of calendar year 1998. In the meantime, staff will continue to explore two alternative configurations in the Planning Department and/or a portion of the Planning/Agricultural Center breezeway. One of these two options would be undertaken in 1999 to provide a distinct space for the new department utilizing existing building resources. D. Budgetary and Other Recommendations 1. Since a re-assignment of personnel and tasks would occur from Planning to the ERCD, a concurrent transfer of related funds to a new budget would be needed. The administration and staff will work with the Budget Director to transfer relevant funds from the Planning Department budget to a new ERCD budget. 2. While a significant portion of the existing Land Use and Environmental Planner's current duties would be transferred to the new department (please see Appendix B), responsibilities related to the Land Use Element of the Plan, demographics and Township Advisory Councils will remain in Planning. As such, I am recommending that the existing Special Projects Planner II position be retitled Land Use and Preservation Planner, and be split between the new ERCD and Planning. This position would be re- assigned to the Comprehensive Planning Division to cover the functions not transferring to the ERCD, with a substantial portion of job duties staying in Planning and a smaller portion in the ERCD. 3. The Orange Soil and Water District Commissioners have provided a proposal for their involvement in some of the duties listed herein (please see Attachment D). The Soil and Water District, in conjunction with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, offers a number of programs and opportunities for County partnership efforts and funding possibilities. The Soil and Water District has recently hired a Neuse River Basin Technician, who will begin working on the possible purchase of riparian buffer areas in the Neuse basin. In addition, opportunities through the USDA Conservation Reserve Program offer additional opportunities for cooperation with Soil and Water in voluntary conservation for agricultural erosion control or water quality. A summary of some of these programs can be found in Appendix D. With a clear need to build a strong tie with this department, it is recommended that the administration and staff meet to pursue the nature of this relationship over the next several months. 4. In the event that land or easement acquisition becomes available during this fiscal year, money from the contingency fund could be utilized if the 13