The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Board works on assistance plan for zoning officer

By DAVID GRIMES for The Quill

OQUAWKA - Henderson County States Attorney Ray Cavanaugh will have the chance to make good on an offer to help out zoning officer John Carrier by issuing zoning permits if the need should arise.

Cavanaugh first volunteered the services of his office nearly a year ago to the County Board to help fill in should Carrier ever need to be away from his office.

Cavanaugh said the assistance will be all volunteer and will be limited to issuing an application for a permit.

Because Carrier is an appointed - not an elected - official, only the County Board has the power to hire additional persons to assist him.

County Board members approved the arrangement April 13.

Carrier currently logs four hours per day on county zoning issues, including traveling to and from sites in the field.

He additionally serves as the county's emergency management coordinator, solid waste coordinator, FEMA coordinator, grant writer and coordinator for veterans affairs.

There currently is no backup plan should Carrier take time for illness or vacation.

Under the new arrangement, a member of the County Board zoning committee or zoning board of appeals will go to the setback area to determine if a zoning permit should be issued.

The states attorney's office would then be advised whether to issue a permit.

The process would be used only when Carrier's absence exceeds one week.

Board member Mike Thompson asked if there would be any additional salary cost involved in the arrangement.

Zoning committee chairman Tom Doran said that the arrangement would be on a volunteer basis only.