Discussion Surrounds Possible Merge of Planning Departments
by Ashley Murphy

Friday, June 4, 2010

A meeting between the Bradley County and City Planning Departments was held Thursday evening, June 3rd at 5:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce.

The meetings, known as the Joint Planning and Inspections Study Committee, has met several times since the Fall of 2009. The committee was formed to investigate options for combining planning and inspections functions of Bradley County and City offices.

After laying out all aspects and functions of each department, it was determined that if combined in some fashion, the government would be able to better serve the community and become far more efficient with everyday tasks. However, at this time, there is nowhere for these departments to move that would hold all employees involved.

The committee visited several ideas of how this could work. At this time, the committee could not come back with a recommendation for the Bradley County Commission and the City Council until further meetings and discussions could be held with more members of the committee present.

Another meeting of the Joint Planning and Inspections Committee is scheduled for Thursday, July 3rd at 5:30 p.m., however, that date is subject to change.