St. Joseph May Add City Community Development Director to City Staff

ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph is looking to possibly add a city community development director to its staff in the near future.

The community development director would be responsible for planning and the economic development needs of St. Joseph.

City administrator Judy Weyrens says the city currently contracts with a consulting company for economic and development services that can only provide services one day a week.

"As we've seen growth and need for additional planning services, it became much more cost-effective to have a staff employee that does planning, economic development and work with the township."

Weyrens says someone could be hired for the position as early as October.

The city will discuss the item as part of their 2016 budget. The budget would have to be increased by around $40,000 to accommodate for the position in 2016.

The city will also discuss possibly building an overpass or walkway under County Road 75 as part of their 2016 budget. Council member Bob Loso has said he would like to see it completed and use sales taxes as one of the revenue sources.