County considering planning changes

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County’s new planning commissioner will likely be stepping into a different position than the one Assembly candidate, former Commissioner Alan Sorensen, left earlier this month.

Briggs said Sorensen’s departure was coincidental with that of the fiscal officer in the department so there is a good likelihood of some restructuring of the job descriptions.

Sorensen’s $92,700 salary included stipends for his administrative role in the Empire Zone and on Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.

The incumbent is not likely to get that same combination. “We’re going to be looking at a salary in the 60s or 70s,” Briggs said.

While his departure was at “fairly short notice,” Briggs said Sorensen left a complete update on the status of the department’s various projects. He said the county’s “managing commissioners” Richard LaCondre and Harvey Smith have already met with the department staff to answer questions about the transition.

Briggs lauded Sorensen’s achievements and noted that the former commissioner remains involved in the county’s ongoing comprehensive plan update.

Briggs said a search committee would be convened to seek candidates for the job but said there is no time frame for hiring a replacement. “Given the importance of the position, we want to be careful we get the right individual on board,” he said.