The Portage County Board approved Executive Eric Olson’s appointment of Scott Allen as the next Director of the county’s Planning and Zoning Department at its May 19 meeting. Mr. Allen brings over 30 years of experience in natural resource management, zoning and community development planning to the position. Portage County’s Planning and Zoning Department encompasses seven sections: Planning, Zoning, Land and Water Conservation, Geographic Information Services, On-Site Sanitary Waste, Water Resources and Economic Development. The position was open due to Executive Pavelski’s decision to terminate the previous director in March.
Portage County residents benefit from a well-functioning Planning and Zoning Department. Whether it’s protecting our valuable water resources or ensuring that permit applications and processed fairly and efficiently, this office touches on just about everything that makes Portage County a great place to live, work, and do business. The County Executive is excited that someone with Mr. Allen’s experience and skillset is taking on this leadership role.
Scott Allen is presently the Executive Director of the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission in Eau Claire. The agency has 15 staff and is statutorily responsible for planning the physical, social and economic development of a seven-county area made up of Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Polk, and St. Croix counties. Prior to that, Mr. Allen served for five years as the Community Development Director for the City of Eau Claire and worked in planning and development for Blue Springs, Missouri for 15 years. Allen has a graduate degree from Penn State University and an undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. He is professionally certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. He will begin his role as Portage County Planning and Zoning Director in mid-June.
The County Board also approved Chris Mrdutt’s term as interim Planning and Zoning Director from late March through mid-June. Mr. Mrdutt is a Zoning Coordinator in the department.
