Many towns, cities, and counties employ a local planner or planning staff to manage, in partnership with the planning commission, the local planning effort.

It is important that the planning commission and planning staff agree on ways to foster a mutually beneficial work relationship. Clarity regarding roles, duties, and expectations should be viewed as a top priority. While the planning commission typically focuses on the "bigger picture" associated with policy, direction, and goal setting, the chief responsibility of planning staff involves providing technical assistance and guidance - and managing the planning office's many functions on a day-to-day basis. This requires communication and coordination. As a result, it is not surprising that planning staff are frequently found whizzing through all corners of the planning universe.