Officials authorize hiring push for planning, building offices

Steve Higinbotham, the county administrator, has spent extra time working in planning and zoning since former Plan Administrator Laura Miller’s January retirement.

He announced during Wayne County Council’s April 1 meeting that Angela Ebacher was promoted to fill the plan administrator’s role. That promotion and another employee leaving the building department leaves two closely connected positions open.

Higinbotham, who detailed positions lost in those departments through the years, requested council allow him to post and hire simultaneously for the vacant building and planning positions. He said they are cross-trained to cover for each other during lunches and times out of the office. In addition to the building and planning work, Higinbotham said the positions process all of the vendor claims and payroll for departments the county administrator oversees.

Commissioner Jeff Plasterer supported council approving the request, saying that Higinbotham has “been working his tail off” to keep up with both departments. Plasterer added that he looks forward to Higinbotham again focusing more on ongoing county projects.

Council unanimously voted to permit the positions’ posting and hiring.

Higinbotham then brought the issue before commissioners for their approval during their afternoon meeting.

“You made a very strong argument on the history there,” Plasterer said, referring to the council meeting. Commissioners then officially approved posting and hiring for the vacant positions.

Ebacher, who lives in Centerville, has proven herself reliable, shown great attention to detail and possesses great customer service skills, Higinbotham said. During three years in planning and zoning, Ebacher has walked residents through the planning and zoning process, Higinbotham said, and has worked with the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals and hearing officer for zoning requests.

Commissioners meeting

Also during the April 1 commissioners meeting:

• Commissioners voted to move their meetings the first Wednesday of each month to 10 a.m. or immediately following Wayne County Council, if its 8 a.m. meeting runs more than two hours. Commissioners have been meeting at 1:30 p.m. on those Wednesdays.
• Commissioners unanimously approved a three-year, $21,000 contract with Dossett Consulting of Indianapolis to file reimbursement reports for the county’s IV-D child-support court.
• Commissioners approved a proclamation for Wayne County Reads Day on April 27.