Forsyth County’s planning board discussed options for resources and training during a work session Tuesday night. The board considered buying a $95 annual subscription for a planners reference Web site, but expressed concerns that the expense could take away from the possibility of training classes or seminars. Two of the board’s five members have attended a training session on their own time and money, though such a class isn’t required to serve on the panel. Planning department director Tom Brown said he hopes the budget will allow for the members to attend the Atlanta Regional Commission training. Since the training budget had been slashed in recent years, Brown said his top priority is to get his staff members up to date. The board postponed a decision on the subscription to weigh the benefits and possible impact on training. The members likely will get an in-house training session at the August work session, as the board voted 5-0 on Tuesday to ask Forsyth County Attorney Ken Jarrard to speak on a variety of topics. Jarrard visited a work session in May to discuss the “do’s and don’ts” for planning board members, Brown said, but the August talk would be more focused on the vision, ambitions and ideals for the board. The board may also consider possible revisions to its by-laws at the Aug. 20 meeting.
Forsyth County’s planning board discussed options for resources and training during a work session Tuesday night. The board considered buying a $95 annual subscription for a planners reference Web site, but expressed concerns that the expense could take away from the possibility of training classes or seminars. Two of the board’s five members have attended a training session on their own time and money, though such a class isn’t required to serve on the panel. Planning department director Tom Brown said he hopes the budget will allow for the members to attend the Atlanta Regional Commission training. Since the training budget had been slashed in recent years, Brown said his top priority is to get his staff members up to date. The board postponed a decision on the subscription to weigh the benefits and possible impact on training. The members likely will get an in-house training session at the August work session, as the board voted 5-0 on Tuesday to ask Forsyth County Attorney Ken Jarrard to speak on a variety of topics. Jarrard visited a work session in May to discuss the “do’s and don’ts” for planning board members, Brown said, but the August talk would be more focused on the vision, ambitions and ideals for the board. The board may also consider possible revisions to its by-laws at the Aug. 20 meeting.