Land-Use Planner Gets Promotion

Stacy Bjordahl, hired as a landuse planner by Spokane County in 1993, has been promoted to the new position of public hearings manager.

Bjordahl can bring “a fresh perspective” to land-use hearings and look for ways to smooth out the process, said Jim Manson, director of the county’s planning and buildings division.

“We need to change, that’s what the board is telling me,” said Manson.

Bjordahl will now work with Gary Fergen, a 20-year employee, and one of her former supervisors. Both will report directly to Manson.

Manson restructured the planning department last week and three top managers - Wally Hubbard, Steve Horobiowski and John Mercer - lost their jobs.

Bjordahl will be in charge of current planning, subdivisions, short plats and long-range planning, which includes administration of the Growth Management Act. She could supervise as many as 15 people.

Her salary has been increased from $34,116 to $48,405.

, DataTimes