NORTH PORT — Speaking to a group of business people, a School Board member and a county commissioner recently, City Commissioner Jim Blucher said with the number of monthly permits and inspections in North Port skyrocketing, he thinks it might be time to hire another city planner.

Blucher was giving an update on city projects to the North Port Area Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee. He said the number of new home permits are up — and that’s a healthy sign for North Port’s economy.