Post Falls community development director role a return to roots for Seale

POST FALLS — Bob Seale is returning to his roots.

Seale has been hired to lead Post Falls through its next growth spurt as he'll start as the city's community development director on Dec. 17.

"I am excited to join such a committed team," said Seale, who was raised in Hayden.

Seale has worked in multiple municipal positions on the East Coast since 2010, including as director of planning, development and enforcement for the City of Meriden in Connecticut for the past three years.

Seale streamlined the permitting process and implemented an online application program for the Building and Planning departments. He was also involved in the redevelopment of Meriden’s downtown, which included transforming of a brownfield site into a 14-acre park in the city’s new transit-oriented district.

Seale has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Gonzaga University and a master's degree in urban and regional planning from Eastern Washington University.

"Bob impressed us with his development skills and his sincerity for the area in his interview," said Post Falls City Administrator Shelly Enderud. "He will do an excellent job for the City of Post Falls and he is excited about returning home."

Nineteen candidates applied for the position and three were interviewed. Seale's salary will be $95,000 per year.

The positions of community development director and public works director were combined into the public services director's job in 2008 at the start of the recession.

"It made sense during the slower period of growth to try out a combined position which involved an extensive skillset to cover both public works as well community development," a city press release states. "With the city’s rapid growth and infrastructure challenges, it made sense to separate the positions again."

The community development director position was approved during this year's budget process.

Post Falls issued 444 single-family residential permits this year through Oct. 31, surpassing the year-end totals of 366 last year and 343 in 2016.

The city's population is about 37,500 now. Area agencies estimate Post Falls will continue to grow at a 2 to 5 percent clip per year.

"The city is experiencing rapid growth and I am prepared to take on the challenges that come with it," Seale said.

"It is great time to return to North Idaho and to reintegrate myself into the communities that have seen so much change over the past 10 to 20 years. The opportunities for hiking, biking and boating are endless and combining that with the growth and opportunities available for entertainment and recreation is fantastic."