New county planning director now at work
MADISON COUNTY – Alex Hogle is still learning about his new position as Madison County’s Planning Director – he started May 1.
He’s familiar with the innards of the thick binders that sit in small stacks on the table in his office, but from a county planner’s perspective, Madison County is diverse and there’s a lot to understand.
“It’s a nice opportunity to be challenged professionally,” Hogle said.
Though this is Hogle’s first director position in a county planning office, he joins the Madison County office with 15 years of experience.
Originally form Utah, Hogle moved to Montana after college and worked in the Lake County and Flathead County planning departments. Hogle has worked as freelancer, for the past few years. The director position in Madison County intrigued him professionally and as a lover of the outdoors.
“I was waiting for a job that looked engaging,” Hogle said.
As a county planning director, Hogle serves the general public’s interest. It’s his job to approach projects objectively and ensure they’re abiding applicable laws.
“A county planner is driven by public need,” Hogle said. “We provide an objective analysis so that the decision makers can make informed decisions.”
Their analysis encompasses public comment, wildlife, public safety, and transportation – among other aspects of the general public’s interest. Commissioners and councils are the final decision makers, and Hogle works as a mediator between a project and the public.
Many facets of the job excite Hogle, but a lot of “house keeping” is currently underway to get the office operating more efficiently. He’s most excited about meeting and working with the local planning boards and town councils of Madison County.