Title
Resolution Supporting the Proposed Countywide Visioning and Planning Opportunity (B)
Explanation
During the City Commission meeting of March 25, 2002, the Alachua County/Municipal Leaders Steering Committee made a presentation to the City of Gainesville. Representatives from the Steering Committee requested that the City Commission enact a resolution of support and provide a funding commitment to this collaborative effort. The City Commission requested that the resolution come back on a regular agenda and that the City Manager prepare a recommendation regarding the budget request.
The Steering Committee has requested that each municipality in Alachua County commit to a contribution based on one dollar for each City resident. The Alachua County Commission would then contribute one dollar for each resident of the unincorporated area. Based on a total County population of 222,935 this formula would provide funding of $222,935. The Steering Committee representatives indicated that the commitment could be spread over two budget years (the current fiscal year and 2002-2003). Under this formula the City of Gainesville contribution would be $96,446 or $48,223 per year for two years.
During the March 25, 2002 meeting the Commission suggested that land area could also be considered as the basis for a funding formula. Using land area as the basis for apportioning costs the City of Gainesville contribution would be $11,816 or $5,908 per year for two years. A third alternative could be to use both population and land area weighted in equal proportions. Under this second alternative the City of Gainesville share would be $54,131 or $27,066 per year for two years.
County staff has provided a preliminary budget for the visioning and planning process that estimates the cost for the Countywide tasks and nine municipal visions as $247,500 - $337,500.
County staff has indicated that any City of Gainesville funding commitment would be included in an interlocal agreement that would define the exact amount of the contribution and the specific planning work to be delivered by Alachua County.
Fiscal Note
The recommended funding source for the City's contribution during the current fiscal year is the City Commission contingency. The contingency balance is currently $90,136. During the first six months of the current fiscal year the City Commission appropriated a total of $72,570 from the contingency account. Funding can be included in the proposed 2002-2003 budget upon direction of the City Commission.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve the resolution; and 2) give directions to the City Manager on a budget contribution to be included in an interlocal agreement with Alachua County.