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01/18/2005: "New Director is On the Job"

Stephen Amsbaugh is the new Director of the Permit and Planning departments, and is the first director to have an extensive background of experience in both private and public sectors. Mr. Amsbaugh stated he believed that he "had an endorsement by the County Commissioners" to review the current efficiency and structure of the department, and to make any improvements that may increase the department's efficiency within the constraints of the budget. With regard to the budget, he will also be doing a review of the current fee structure to determine if it is both "balanced and equitable."

He stated he recognized the need to reduce the time it takes to issue a building permit, and plans to review the procedures and priorities of the department to see where improvements -if any- can be made. One area that he has already noted for improvement is the department web page, which he intends to bring up to date. As for the long range planning section of his department, he stated a planning consultant was hired to assist in determining the scope of work necessary to bring the County's GMA requirements up to date, and that he will be working to see that it happens.



There were only three applicants for the job, and only two showed up for a series of interviews conducted by staff members and the BOCC. (Unlike previous candidate interviews, an advisory committee was not created to be a part of the review process, and while at least the interview by the Commissioners was legally open to the public, members of the public were not formally invited to attend.) Mr. Amsbaugh's interview by the BOCC was conducted by the three sitting commissioners, the two commissioners elect; and the BOCC's secretary. Mr. Amsbaugh started work on January 5th