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Editor's Note: As Modoc County and the city of Alturas move closer to sharing planning services, Tehama County will continue a similar program with the city of Corning. 

Corning, Tehama County Share Planning Director

 By JULIE ZEEB -DN Staff Writer

Updated: 06/13/2011 11:23:39 AM PDT

The Tehama County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Corning to continue using its planning director, John Stoufer.

The contract, which initially came about in 2010, allows the two entities to continue splitting the costs and Stoufer working part-time for each. 

Corning voted May 24 to approve the agreement, which will start July 1 and continue through June 30, 2012. 

Stoufer was originally asked to fill in as Tehama County's interim planning director following the retirement of Tehama County Planning Director George Robson.

Corning City Manager Steve Kimbrough has said the deal, which allows Stoufer to gain experience at the county, is a good one, especially in light of the economic recession. 

"The city of Corning does not want to lose John Stoufer's talent and we have a number of projects to keep him busy full-time in Corning, however this continues to provide a way to offset the cost of our planning director during the recession and helps the county at the same time," Kimbrough said in the staff report presented to the Corning City Council.

The agreement, which can be terminated early by either party, could return as much as $57,400 to Corning's budget, Kimbrough said.

One concern discussed was conflict of interest.

Councilwoman Toni Parkins asked Stoufer if doing both jobs would involve any matters in which there might be a conflict of interest.

The only time I can see where there would be a conflict is if the county had a project in the city's sphere of influence," Stoufer said.

There were no concerns raised Tuesday at the supervisor's meeting. A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding is available on the Corning website at www.corning.org on the May 24 agenda. 

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Staff Writer Julie Zeeb can be reached at 527-2153, extension 115, or atjzeeb@redbluffdailynews.com