Guest column: Expert input needed for good decisions

We propose, in cases where county departments do not have required expertise, the county departments should have a mechanism in place to hire expert advice that is compensated by the applicant but certainly not selected by the applicant. Consulting with and using the timely input from subject matter experts is fundamental in the process of maintaining objectivity based on facts for contentious cases the Planning and Zoning Commission and the BOCC have before them for consideration. In our opinion, the process appears especially problematic because the county seems to be forced to do their own “best analysis” in areas they have no expertise in or rely on input from “experts” paid for by the applicant.