As work on a new Park County Land Use Plan document closes in on a final document to be voted on, the county is preparing for its next steps, which could be the hardest.

“There’s some serious stuff that could come out of the regulation amendment changes,” Commissioner Lee Livingston said.

Commissioners authorized a request for a proposal to be released as soon as it’s certified by county planning and zoning for possible consultants to develop new rules and regulations to tie with the new land use plan.

The plan, chair Dossie Overfield confirmed, is for the Park County Planning and Zoning Commission to view the plan first at its May 24 meeting, which would be the earliest chance for the board members to certify it. That starts a 45-day period where the county will have to advertise ahead of public hearings on the final draft of the land use plan.

Commissioners said they would also be looking at holding another round of public discussions in planning areas on proposed regulations that would come from the new plan. Overfield was adamant on the importance of having a staff or P&Z Commission member at every meeting as well to collect notes and ensure all views were being heard.

The county is also upping the contract payment for Clarion Consultants, who said they incurred more costs by holding a number of extra meetings as public response exceeded expectations.

However, the county approved less than half of the added expenses Clarion had requested, with commissioners unanimously approving an additional $30,000.

Clarion had requested $51,000 after noting their estimate of actual expenses over the previously approved contract was closer to $100,000 more due to extra meetings and higher than expected resident participation.

Commissioners agreed that while some of the added activities were unexpected by Clarion, such as helping to manage a wildlife overlay and digging into water availability concerns, others should have been expected and thus part of the initial bid.