New zoning director is ready for new challenges
Staff reporter
With a friendly smile and a reassuring handshake, Bobbi Strait is jumping in with both feet as the new county sanitarian and planning and zoning administrator.
Strait has been on the job since June 21, and has kept plenty busy.
"I had a pile of applications waiting for me when I started," she said. "It's been hectic but I like it that way. I thrive on it."
Strait, who held the same position in Seward County plus was the building inspector for the county, knows she's coming to a position with challenges. She was made aware of recent conflicts between Marion County Commission and Marion County Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals.
"I have some ideas of how to alleviate these issues," said Strait. "I want a resolution by Christmas and to put this nightmare behind the community."
She added that the two commissions need to work together to be effective.
"Both commissions need to have the best interest of its residents and county in mind."
Seward County used to allow development on three acres but found it did not meet the needs of the county.
"It was changed to five acres, and now it's 40 again," Strait said. "There are circumstances for three acres and other times 40 acres should be a minimum.
"Neither answer is 100 percent right all of the time," she added.
Strait compared zoning regulations to building codes.
"Zoning regulations are general guidelines and building codes are black and white," she said.
Zoning is based on land use.
"You have to consider the best interest of the county as a whole and not individuals when making zoning decisions," said Strait.
She used Marion Reservoir as a comparison of decisions for the good of the majority of the county.
"Agriculture land was taken out of production to build that reservoir," said Strait, "but the end result was adequate flood control for communities."
There is no set blueprint for all counties.
"Zoning regulations need to be different from county to county," Strait said.
Location and terrain have to be considered.
Seward County has a population of 22,510, and covers 704 square miles. There are only two incorporated cities within that county — Liberal with a population of 19,666, and Kismet, 484.
Primarily flat and without many trees, Seward County's needs are different from Marion County as there are no lagoons in rural areas, only septic systems.
"There is no surface water in the county," said Strait. "When the wind blows, there is so much dust you can hardly see."
She's pleased to be in Marion County where there is a variety of development options.
Liberal and Seward County also had some cultural barriers due to the large Hispanic and Latin American population.
"There were times when I needed an interpreter to do my job," said Strait.
Communication is essential in her job.
"I do my best to explain things to people and have even resorted to drawing pictures," she said.
Strait's favorite part of her job is meeting and working with residents.
"I love making contact with people," she said.
She also wants to streamline the application process — making it as simple as possible.
"I want applicants to only have to make one trip to my office," Strait said.
Ideally, she would like the contractor to call her to advise her of a lagoon construction. She then would inspect the site, collect the fees, and sign the permit. It may not be quite as easy as that since soil evaluations are required.
After she settles in a bit, she may present a proposal to the commission regarding building codes.
"In Seward County, lenders would call and ask questions about properties," explained Strait. "Some didn't want to lend money without codes and inspection documents."
Building inspections and codes also could reduce interest rates on loans and insurance premiums.
Strait believes building codes are important for proper development and protection of property. With proper codes and inspection, adequate structures will be built.
"When the first strong wind comes through the new structure, it won't take it out," she said.
But that's for further down the road. For now, she wants to take care of the business of permitting development.
Strait has experience in all aspects of the application process, starting as a secretary in 2001, in the Seward County sanitation department. Within six months, employees came and went, and she was given an opportunity to become the department's director.
"I have a degree in accounting," she said with a laugh, "but I'm happy doing what I'm doing."
A certified building inspector, Strait has received and will continue to attend training for her sanitation and zoning positions. She also values attending seminars and meetings that give her the opportunity to network with others in similar positions.
"Continuing education is very important," said Strait, but it doesn't necessarily mean expensive schooling.
"Experience in the field is more important than education," she said, "but I plan to keep on top of new information. You can never learn too much."
Strait lives in Marion with her two dogs. She has five children — three daughters and two sons — between the ages of 13 and 23. She also has five grandchildren — three grandsons and two granddaughters — between the ages of three months and 5 years. They all reside in Florida and Liberal. Her 13-year-old son will join her in Marion by the end of the year, and will be a seventh grader at Marion Middle School.
"I am very happy to be here and excited about serving the people of Marion County," said Strait.
