ABSTRACT
Assuming that the commission receives the services of a professional planner and his or her staff, the first question that arises is that of a proper working relationship. The staff should be able to plan its own annual work program and budget. The commission should review, comment, and suggest improvements in terms of its own work. During the course of the year (every three months at a minimum), the commission should make time for and insist on periodic progress reports by staff on non-day-to-day items such as plan preparation, ordinance writing, rezoning studies, and surveys. These reports should include a summary of funds and man-hours expended to date, percentage of work completed, work to be done before the next periodic report, and estimated time to completion. The commission should add an extra dimension to the deliberations of the legislators, namely, concern for the future. This is where reference to a comprehensive plan is vital.
