Trisha Hiemstra is returning as the director of planning for Cortland County after she resigned from the position last fall. (Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Cortland County Legislators unanimously approved the hiring of Trisha Hiemstra as the county’s director of planning at the Thursday Legislature meeting.
Legislators approved a pay bump last month, as well as added responsibilities for the position related to economic development. The position was bumped from a grade 5 to a grade 3 role. As a grade 5 position, the salary range for the role was anywhere between $79,412 to $105,698, based on experience. Hiemstra’s salary will start at $100,948 when she helms the department once again starting in April.
The new description for the position includes the following revisions, based on a copy found on the meeting’s agenda:
- (The planning director) guides the preparation of feasibility studies and statistical analysis for planning reports, including supervision of consultant documents.
- Recommends economic development projects for consideration by the director and respective organizations, including the legislature and the Industrial Development Agency (IDA). (e.g. IDA, Legislature, etc.).
- Participates in regional, state and federal planning activities, including review of new planning and environmental legislation.
- Assesses infrastructure needs in the county, recommends solutions to resolve them and implement projects.
- Applies for grant and loan funds to accomplish the mission of the department.
- Works with and is the liaison to other economic and development agencies in the county.
“I am very pleased that Ms. Hiemstra will be returning as director,” said Legislative Minority Leader Beau Harbin (D-LD-2). “She has the experience in working with local municipalities and helping them on their zoning and land use policies. She helped Cortland County receive grant funding for a new strategic plan for our county and will be back to help lead that effort.”
The county, Harbin said, has not conducted a strategic plan since 1978.
“Hiemstra is keen to make sure we complete this work, as is the Legislature,” he noted. “This will take a coordinated effort to complete and Hiemstra is very well suited to take that on.”
The position was originally advertised as vacant in September last year. Later reclassified and reposted last month.
“Since the start we have interviewed all qualified candidates for the position,” Harbin said. “We had a total of seven candidate interviews that we conducted. Three in the first round and four in the second round of interviews, which was after the reclassification.”
Harbin noted Hiemstra would help reinforce the county’s relationship with SUNY Cortland.
“I am also thankful that due to her work with SUNY Cortland over the past six months, she will help us better partner with the university in her role as director of planning,” he said. “We have not had as close of a connection in the past and her experience will help us there. Finally, Hiemstra will be ready to step into the role, help us restructure and rebuild the planning department and take on the new expanded duties. We are excited to have her back.”
