The Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved hiring planning and zoning office manager Kayla Robertson as the new planning and zoning director at their meeting last week.
The county’s current planning and zoning director Christine Ritzmann retired last week. The Area Plan Commission unanimously recommended Robertson to be Ritzmann’s replacement. Ritzmann’s last day was May 4.
“We appreciate all you have done over the years. It is not an easy job. There are always a lot of people who are highly opinionated about zoning,” Commissioner President Jerry Pittman said to Ritzmann.
“I have my opinions about zoning. I understand people may not want something next door, but it is one of those things. That’s why we have planning and zoning to make sure they develop it in an orderly manner.”
Ritzmann said she “wholeheartedly” agreed with the APC’s recommendation to hire Robertson as the new director. Robertson has worked in the planning and zoning office as manager for nearly five years.
“I have used that time to learn as much as possible from Director Ritzmann. I feel as if the knowledge and experience I’ve gained during my term of employment as the office manager and secretary to the Area Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals has prepared me to take on the more challenging role of planning director,” Robertson said.
“As a Brown County native, resident and a mother raising children here, I have a vested interest in the well-being of the county, and I am extremely excited for the opportunity to continue serving my community.”
The planning director position was advertised throughout April on the American Planning Association website and within the county.
Ritzmann previously worked as the county’s zoning inspector. She was hired as the director in 2016.
As director, Robertson is responsible for general administration of the day-to-day work of the APC, such as zoning enforcement, reviewing applications for permits, maintaining the APC’s records and providing information to the public.
A new office manager will be hired. That position is advertised in this week’s Brown County Democrat.
