The Carbon County commissioners were forced to go outside the county to hire a state certified planner at an annual salary of $17,120 because no county resident was qualified.

He is Eugene Butler of Scranton, who was hired yesterday for the newly created staff position on the county planning commission.

Butler is a 1964 graduate of the University of Scranton who received a master’s degree in city and regional planning in 1966 from Catholic University. He has been serving as the city planner and community development coordinator in Scranton.

Commissioners Albert Koch, Charles Wildoner and John Angst voted for the appointment.