FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County Judge Joseph Wood has hired a new planning director.
Nathan Crouch, who was promoted to the county's senior planner last year, is the director of the Planning Department, according to documents released by Brian Lester, county attorney and spokesman.
In an email sent Tuesday through Lester, Wood praised Crouch, saying he "has the required education, skill set and experience needed to oversee the Planning Department."
Crouch said he effectively became director May 31.
Crouch said in email he planned to continue the department's mission to help residents through the planning review process and to increase efficiency and education among staff. The department will continue to regulate land development "fairly and according to county ordinances," Crouch said.
"Rural areas are an important resource that should be developed with care in order to retain their value and function," he added.
Aspirations
New Washington County Planning Director Nathan Crouch said his goals for the Washington County Planning Department include continuing to make less waste by becoming paperless and improving the planning team’s capabilities through education, certification and experience.
Source: Crouch
No immediate changes to the department are expected, Crouch said.
Justices of the peace said they support Wood's decision to promote Crouch.
Crouch has the experience, certification and education for the job, said Justice of the Peace Daniel Balls, a Democrat from northern Fayetteville. Justice of the Peace Alicia Deavens, a Republican who represents northwestern Fayetteville and the area west of Farmington, said she also likes Crouch.
"I'm sure it will be a great appointment," Deavens said.
County administrators said in April there were no immediate plans to replace Director Jim Kimbrough, who resigned effective April 6. Kimbrough earned $52,469 per year, according to this year's budget. Crouch was hired at roughly $50,690.
Lester released documents related to Crouch's hiring in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.
Crouch was hired by the county as a planner in 2014, according to his job application. He was promoted to senior planner in 2017 after several employees resigned. He earned $43,164 per year as senior planner, according to the 2018 budget.
Justices of the peace have been eyeing issues within the Planning Department in the wake of several lawsuits over land-use issues.
The Quorum Court plans to appeal one case it lost over a wedding venue near Greenland. A county committee decided Monday to review another case the county lost over a marijuana cultivation facility during the June 21 Quorum Court meeting.
One other land-use lawsuit is pending, as is part of a lawsuit against Wood and the county over how Wood fired and hired department heads when he took office in 2017. Wood fired Planning Director Juliet Richey, along with three other department heads, and hired Kimbrough.
Kimbrough later recommended Crouch, according to Crouch's job application.
NW News on 06/06/2018
