Carol McFarlane promoted to the New Planning and Development Services Director.

Written by Anthony Bicy

Belden Communications News

On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, during the Volusia County Council meeting, council members elected Carol McFarlane as the new planning and development services director.

County Manager George Recktenwald promoted McFarlane after former director Palmer Panton announced his retirement. Panton will retire next month from his 33-year career with the county.

“She’s got great experience. She’s well-liked in the community and within the department,” said Recktenwald.

According to a release, McFarlane began her career as an urban and regional planner with 15 years of experience and initially joined county government in June 2008 as a planner. She left in August 2016 to accept a position as a city planner for the City of Orange City before returning to the county in April of 2020. McFarlane earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida (UCF) and then went on to get her master’s certification from UCF in urban and regional planning and development.

Once promoted, McFarlane expressed her gratitude.

“I just quickly want to, of course, thank you all for this opportunity to serve the community. I have dedicated my career and most of my life to local planning and growth management, and I can’t say how much I’m excited to serve for my home county.”