Jackson County cuts six from planning department
Six positions in the Jackson County Planning and Building Department have been cut due to the slow down in the building industry.
Six people were laid off on Friday — two inspectors, two clerks and two employees in the engineering division of the public development department.
“Over the last several months, Jackson County, like many parts of the state and nation has experienced a significant decline in the construction industry; specifically in housing construction,” said county manager Darrell Hampton. “The result of this has been a decline in the number of housing starts, restorations, renovations and additions. The result is a larger staff of building inspectors and related staff than the demand of the market dictates. There is never a good time for a reduction in force, but this change is the appropriate action in the tough economic times. It will hopefully position these departments to weather this hard time, while still delivering service as needed.”
“Over the last several months, Jackson County, like many parts of the state and nation has experienced a significant decline in the construction industry; specifically in housing construction,” said county manager Darrell Hampton. “The result of this has been a decline in the number of housing starts, restorations, renovations and additions. The result is a larger staff of building inspectors and related staff than the demand of the market dictates. There is never a good time for a reduction in force, but this change is the appropriate action in the tough economic times. It will hopefully position these departments to weather this hard time, while still delivering service as needed.”
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#1
A Curious Person wants to know!
on
02/17/09 at 10:23 PM
[Reply]
If money is the real issue, then why did the county hire three employee's to replace them?I've been told a County Consultant, and two former employees were rehired in the planning dept. the same day they fired these people? It seems Mr Buffington there's a lot more than meets the eye in this story. I wonder how Mr Hampton would respond to that question. I also wonder how Mr Hampton would respond to questions about David Archers rezoning on Hwy 129 and if it had anything to do with the termination of these employees?
#2
Curious person 2
on
02/18/09 at 06:04 PM
[Reply]
Everyone knows this dept. and a few more have had very little to do in the last year and half. My question is why didn't the county reassign one or two last year instead of gutting it all at one time. Then they hired a Consultant that had some ties to last years leaders, and it seems some very lucurative connections to the current leaders.
#3
curious responder
on
02/24/09 at 08:46 AM
[Reply]
Couple things here people. Was the county slow to come in and make needed cuts earlier? absoulutley. Find me a government, local or federal that isn't. That is a problem everywhere, but if you keep electing the same people and expecting different results, then you are just as much to blame as the next guy! but, that being said, at least they did it! As far as the people that they brougt in, well, if you don't like it, then I am sure that you can apply in person for the job and see if you are qualified to run it. If so, good luck, you will need it in this economy. Did you ever think that by bringing in someone with experience in this field to fix things and get it back on the right track might be a good decision for the long term success of that department? If they let go 6 and brought in 3, which I don't know anything about the numbers... wouldn't it be fair to say that the citizens are getting a deal with less money being spent to run that department until they decide how they are going to go forward. And last but not least, for #2, get a life. Not everything that is done is because someone is in what you like to call a "good ole boy" network. Some people actually get jobs based on merit and then people like you can sit around all day and make speculations and accusations about it! Some people have the ability to do a job without letting personal or professional aquaintences cloud their judgement. It is called having character, something I am almost sure you lack, based on the fact that you are willing to cast stones about something that you know nothing about.
#3.1
curious george
on
02/25/09 at 05:22 PM
[Reply]
Darell? Don Clerici? Is that you? IT IS!!!
#3.2
Tax Payer
on
02/26/09 at 07:07 AM
[Reply]
Yes, they did let 6 go but at the price the new 3 are costing is it really any cheaper?