Cortland County office building. (Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith/Cortland Voice)
The search for a new county planning director could widen in the coming months.
As the county searches for a replacement to former planning director Trisha Jesset, there are three applicants for the role. At the moment, two of them cannot be considered due to a county law that requires the planning director to reside in Cortland County.
Legislators on Thursday took steps to change that dialogue by unanimously approving an amendment to the local law that would allow the planning director to live in one of the contiguous counties, including Onondaga, Broome, Chenango, and Tompkins.
Legislature Chair Kevin Fitch (R-LD8) spoke in support of the amendment.
“We want them to come, we want them to be as close as they can be, but we understand the restrictions that we’re getting for applicants,” he said. “But we don't want them to drive in from a place that is an hour away or so on and so forth.”
Legislator Kelly Preston (R-LD10) said the amendment broadens the search significantly. Reading the local law, Preston said the selected planning director will negotiate a date by which they’ll have to reside in Cortland or a contiguous county with the Agriculture, Planning, and Environmental Committee of the Legislature.
One of the concerns for legislators is the period of time it’d take to pass the amendment. Preston suggested there could be a public hearing on the amendment, in line with most other local laws.
“I would agree on that in normal circumstances, and I’m not going to disagree with that, but what’s that going to do for a candidate?,” asked Republican Legislator Paul Heider, LD-16.
Legislators then decided they will not have a public hearing on this particular amendment in the interest of facilitating hiring and because the changes to the legal verbiage are not substantive.
