The Ketchum Planning Department is expecting a deluge of work—again—but is a consultant the best way to tackle it?
The City Council voted 3-1 Monday in favor of a resolution authorizing a six-month contract with land-use consultant Lisa Horowitz.
Councilwoman Terry Tracy cast the lone vote against the resolution.
Council members said Horowitz is qualified for the job, but some questioned the value of continuing to hire help from outside the area. Horowitz lives in Montana and as part of her proposed contract, the city would pay her travel expenses.
The contract specifies a $3,000 minimum per month and a billing rate of $75 per hour.
Horowitz will likely attend one P&Z meeting a month, assist with code writing and represent the city on special development projects.
"We anticipate applicants of special projects will bear the cost of this," said Mayor Randy Hall. "I think she's going to be very busy."
Hall noted that Horowitz has had offers from private developers, and the city wanted to ensure her skills were on its side.
"I have no resistance in hiring Lisa at all," said Councilman Baird Gourlay. "She's worth every penny."
Tracy said she was uncomfortable approving a contract without seeing a job description or the contract itself.
"I don't think this is well defined at all, and I don't like this commuting one bit," she said.
Councilman Steven Shafran shared her concern.
"If there's so much work to be done, we need a full-time person," he said. "I'm supportive of this only if we acknowledge it's a short-term, expensive solution. This is a very inefficient way to deal with our long-term needs."
Horowitz was formerly a Ketchum planning administrator and served as a contract planner for the city during its code revision process this fall and during the Warm Springs Ranch application process last year.
