The Jackson County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve a technical assistance contract with ECIA to support the county zoning office during a staffing transition.

Board members said the contract will provide up to $30,000 of expert planning and ordinance support, with ECIA covering $15,000 of the cost. Supervisors described the arrangement as an alternative to immediately hiring a full‑time assistant: the county will not hire a new employee under the contract and will instead use ECIA subject‑matter expertise while the zoning administrator remains the point of contact.

Dan Park of ECIA told the board the consultant assigned to the contract, Laura Carston, has more than 30 years’ experience in planning and zoning and previously worked with the county on the comprehensive plan and ordinance. “She has worked with the county on the county comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance,” Dan said; board members called that experience a significant benefit to the county.

A motion to approve the ECIA technical assistance contract passed by voice vote.