Zacher, hired in 1998 to work as a planner for Tonganoxie and Leavenworth County, said she is looking forward to working in Tonganoxie full time.

“When I interviewed for the position a year and a half ago, it was Tonganoxie that interested me most,” Zacher said.

Chris Eppley, city administrator, said Zacher has done excellent work for the city during a time of growth.

Mayor John Franiuk said he welcomes Zacher’s expanded role as a full-time city employee.

“I think it’s a much-needed thing for Tonganoxie right now,” Franiuk said. “We’re seeing a lot of residential development right now, and I think we need to look to the future as far as commercial development is concerned. We also need to have a good plan to decide where our city will be in the future.”

Zacher said Tonganoxie is a challenge in that it is experiencing so much growth, and added that she appreciated the expertise of those with whom she has worked in Tonganoxie.

“It’s a joy to work with the cooperation from people here who are open to ideas and to new ways of doing things,” Zacher said. “The developers and city officials are all very concerned about working together to make sure that Tonganoxie will continue to be a progressive place to live.”

Eppley said that because Zacher was the city’s first planner, it was logical that the city hired her on a full-time basis.

“I feel that we have grown together,” Eppley said. “We feel that her heart is definitely in the right place and that she will be an excellent asset to the community.”

The annual salary of the full-time position is $32,000, plus benefits, Eppley said.

Zacher, who lives in Leavenworth, said she plans to move to Tonganoxie.