Kim Lyonnais Leaves County Planning Department

DAYTON – The Board of Columbia County Commissioners is in the process of deciding how to fill Director Kim Lyonnais’ position at the county Building and Planning Department after Lyonnais retired from the county two weeks ago.

Commissioner Norm Passmore said the BOCC is looking at a couple of ideas, including hiring someone new to replace Lyonnais or just going with the staff already at the department.

Passmore emphasized the importance of providing the planning and permitting needs of the county and the city, and in making sure inspections continue on time at the Lyons Ferry Straw Pulp Plant, which broke ground in October.

“We don’t want to slow that down,” Passmore said.

Passmore said another consideration is to make sure the new housing development planned by Dr. Derek Duke is not jeopardized because of staffing issues at the Building and Planning Department.