An old story shows how poorly managed the planning department appears under the “co-management of Walberg/Brereton”
By Jennifer Wheeler
Posted Nov 26, 2012 @ 11:51 PM
Walberg has proposed paying an employee $20,000 to $25,000 a year to oversee the county’s Planning and Building departments. He has not researched whether that salary is comparable with others in the field, but it is equivalent to an office assistant’s wage.
And do you remember Mr.Big Stuff from that article:
MrBigStuff
1 month ago
Here's my 2cents. Well well well, Walberg is up to his old fun and games. Don't you people remember what he did to the school board? This isn't about the city and county not working together. The city and county shared the planning department for years and it has worked well. So what changed? Two things have happened and don't think they aren't related. A. wind farms and B. a county board chairman and his cronies who oppose them. Think of the other farmer who opposed them and is no longer on the board. {about time}
I know Walberg and I can't believe the people on that county board elected him to chairman. What were they thinking. This about a county board chairman who wants and needs to control everything. He retaliates against people who don't do things the way he demands. Doesn't the county board understand the chairmans duties? He gets to chair meetings and make appointments. Why do they let him get away with this?
He claims that this idea would save money. He needs to prove it, because he is wrong. Can Walberg explain how one person can handle the work that is needed when a big controversial project comes in. Boone county had big projects come through (chemtools) and Boone county has seen and eliminated all that development, but that is another argument for another day. What would he do if a big project comes in? He'd have to hire someone or outsource it. Hiring would take time and then training takes time. Betting he's want to outsource. I looked up the planning dept budget. $121,241 for 2013. The city and county split it at $60,620.50 each. If the county wanted to make its own department, the minimum charge is $30,000-$40,000. Now add in outsourcing. One expert planner could charge $200 per hour. 100 hours of work is $21,000. I'm betting there was over 100 hours of work in the wind farm project.
My 2cents. If there are problems with the planning department they are coming from Walberg. he retaliates against those who don't do what he wants. He thinks that people who don't agree with him are beneath him. He comes from the old mentality that women should be seen and not heard. The planning department is all female isn't it? How many women he has appointed? Has anyone on the county board talked to the planning ladies and asked them how Walberg treats them. From this article I'm guessing it isn't respectful.
Attitude reflects leadership. Boone county board needs to wake up. I'm hoping that the next county board will select a new county board chairman.
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