The Town of Tryon has created a new position to take over several duties, including planning and zoning, economic development, grant administration and storm water management.

The creation of the new position will eliminate the town’s current part-time economic development position, currently held by Crys Armbrust.

Tryon Town Council has been discussing the new position as part of the new budget, which begins July 1. Council has discussed the need for a code enforcer on several occasions. Tryon Town Manager Joey Davis currently handles the town’s planning and zoning and code enforcement duties. Davis is also the town’s fire chief.

Davis said the new position’s salary will be shared between all town departments.

“The current part-time economic development position’s salary is now being allocated to the new position, so essentially the town is eliminating the part-time position and creating a new full-time position,” Davis said.

Armbrust does have the opportunity to apply for the new full-time position.

Applications for the new position were due on Wednesday, May 6 with interviews planned to begin the week of May 11.

The town expects to introduce the new employee during council’s May meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, May 19.

Davis said the salary range for the new position is currently budgeted for $49,000 annually, but will depend on the new hire’s experience.