Madera County announces new Office of Development

Madera County officials announced the creation of a new office that will house the Department of Public Works, the Department of Community and Economic Development, and the newly created Department of Water and Natural Resources. The county hopes to streamline services for residents and ensure groundwater management.

The county said Norm Allinder, Madera County’s planning director since 2009, was chosen to oversee the new Office of Development Services. Matthew Treber, a former Madera County deputy planning director, will manage the Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Public Works department will continue to be managed by Ahmad Alkhayyat.

The newly established Department of Water and Natural Resources will deal with water supply, quality and storage, according to the county. Julia Berry, a former executive director of the Madera County Farm Bureau, has been hired as the director of the department.

Allinder said that the project will “work to ensure the consistent delivery of services” to communities in Madera County.

This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 10:25 PM with the headline "Madera County announces new Office of Development."