Title
North Central Florida Regional Planning Council Funding (B)
This is a request for the City Commission to review the policy ramifications of discontinuing the City of Gainesville’s membership on the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council. **ESTIMATED STAFF ORAL PRESENTATION 5 MINUTES**
Explanation
During the August 10, 2015 Alachua County/City of Gainesville Joint Special Meeting, the issue of the City of Gainesville discontinuing its membership on the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (RPC) was discussed. During the meeting, Commissioner Carter indicated that the City Commission as a group had not discussed the issue and that it probably should not have been placed on the agenda. After further discussion, the item was stricken from the agenda.
On July 30, 2015, the City Manager provided the City Commission a memo on the impacts of the RPC proposed amendments to the Interlocal Agreement creating the RPC. The impacts included an increase in the current membership dues from $21,704 to $37,439 and a reduction in the representation on the council from 5 members down to one voting member, with allowances for additional representations. The RPC listed the following services/benefits the city receives from the membership: 1) participation in shaping the regional agenda with coordination of growth management and protection of regional resources; 2) no cost training for first responders for hazardous materials response; 3) participation in the RPC district designation as a U.S. Economic Development Administration designated economic development district; and 4) assistance with economic impact analysis of economic development projects.
Florida Statutes do not require the City to maintain a membership in the RPC. However, if the City were to withdraw its membership, Alachua County dues would increase because counties are responsible for the dues for the population within their limits minus the population being paid for by member muni...
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