1. Healthcare

NEFRC
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meetings
February 5, 2015
10:00 a.m.
Northeast Florida Regional Council
6850 Belfort Oaks Place
Jacksonville, FL 32216
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 28, 2015
TO:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD MEMBERS
FROM:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
RE:
FEBRUARY 5, 2015 PRELIMINARY AGENDA
The next meeting of the Northeast Florida Regional Council Board of Directors will be held at
10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2015 in the Soforenko Board Room at the Northeast
Florida Regional Council, 6850 Belfort Oaks Place, Jacksonville, FL 32216.
Northeast Florida Regional Council
BOARD of DIRECTORS
PRELIMINARY
AGENDA
Northeast Florida Regional Council
6850 Belfort Oaks Place
Jacksonville, FL 32216
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015
10:00 a.m.
(ADDED OR MODIFIED ITEMS IN BOLD)
(*Denotes Action Required)
TAB
1. Call to Order, Roll Call, Introductions – President Eubanks
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Welcome New Board Member – President Eubanks
* 4. Approval of December 4, 2014 Meeting’s Minutes – President Eubanks
1
5. Invitation to Speak – President Eubanks
Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to speak on any item brought before the
Council. Please fill out one of the blue speaker cards located at the sign-in table.
* 6. Consent Agenda
A. Intergovernmental Coordination and Review (IC&R) Report – Eric Anderson
1. December 2014 ICR Report
2
2. January 2015 ICR Report
3
B. Staff Reports
3. Planning Programs Update – Margo Moehring
4
4. Emergency Preparedness Programs Update – Elizabeth Payne
5
7. Committee Reports
A. Items removed from Consent Agenda at meeting (if any)
B. Personnel, Budget and Finance Policy Committee Report – Chair Register
* 1. November 2014 Financial Report – Donna Starling
2
6
* 2. December 2014 Financial Report – Donna Starling
7
* 3. FY 2013/2014 Audit – Lon Stafford of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC
8
* 4. Occupancy Cost Analysis Update – Brian Teeple
9
C. Legislative Policy Committee Report – Chair Davis
D. Other Reports/Action Items
1. St. Johns County Transmitted Amendment 15-1ESR – Ed Lehman (Info Only)
10
2. St. Johns County Transmitted Amendment 15-2ESR – Lindsay Haga (Info Only)
11
3. City of Palm Coast EAR Based Amendment 15-1ER – Lindsay Haga (Info Only)
12
4. St. Johns County Adopted Amendment 14-8ESR – Ed Lehman (Info Only)
13
5. Town of Marineland EAR Based Amendment 15-1ER – Lindsay Haga (Info Only)
14
6. 2014 Land Use Trend Analysis Report – Lindsay Haga
15
7. Policy Update – Margo Moehring
8. Regional Leadership Academy 2015 Update – Margo Moehring
16
9. Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition, Inc. Presentation – Elizabeth Payne
17
10. Florida Regional Councils Association Update – Brian Teeple
18
a. December 2014 Activities Report
11. Council Contracts Update – Brian Teeple
12. Legislative Update – Brian Teeple
19
13. Potential Dispute Resolution – Brian Teeple
20
8. Public Comment – LIMITED TO 3 MINUTES PER SPEAKER
9. Voting Members’ Reports
10. Ex-Officio Members’ Reports
 Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
 Florida Department of Environmental Protection
 Florida Department of Transportation
 St. Johns River Water Management District
11. President’s Report
3
12. Chief Executive Officer’s Report – Teeple Time
A. Highlights
B. Stream Lines
C. 2014 Florida Transportation Trends & Conditions Pocket Guide
D. Upcoming Events:
February 11, 2015 – Local Emergency Planning Committee, NEFRC
February 11, 2015 – Affordable Housing Committee, Putnam County
February 16, 2015 – PRESIDENTS’ DAY – COUNCIL CLOSED
February 19, 2015 – Transportation Disadvantaged Meeting, Baker County
February 19, 2015 – Transportation Disadvantaged Meeting, Nassau County
February 21, 2015 – Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition Meeting, St. Johns County
February 23, 2015 – Transportation Disadvantaged Meeting, Putnam County
February 23, 2015 – Transportation Disadvantaged Meeting, Clay County
February 25, 2015 – 2015 Regional Leadership Academy, Jacksonville
March 5, 2015 – Transportation Disadvantaged Meeting, St. Johns County
March 10, 2015 – Transportation Disadvantaged Meeting, Flagler County
March 10, 2015 – Local Mitigation Strategy Meeting, Clay County
March 18, 2015 – Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition Meeting, St. Johns County
13. Next Meeting Date and Location:
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2015
Northeast Florida Regional Council
6850 Belfort Oaks Place
Jacksonville, FL 32216
4
Agenda
Item
Tab 1
Tab 1
Tab 1
Tab 1
Tab 1
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL
Board of Directors Meeting
December 4, 2014
MINUTES
The regular monthly meeting of the Northeast Florida Regional Council was held on Thursday,
December 4, 2014, at 10:10 a.m. at the University of North Florida, University Center, 12000
Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32224.
President Eubanks called the meeting to order with the following members present representing
a quorum:
BAKER
Jimmy Anderson
James Bennett
Michael Griffis
Darryl Register
CLAY
Tony Brown
Wendell Davis
DUVAL
Elaine Brown
Stan Totman
FLAGLER
Frank Meeker
Jon Netts
NASSAU
Robert Spaeth
PUTNAM
Kenny Eubanks
E. Walton Pellicer
Vernon Myers
ST. JOHNS
Harlan Mason
Cyndi Stevenson
EX-OFFICIO
Ameera Sayeed for Larry Parks
Geoff Sample
Roni Jordan for Greg Strong
Absent:
Ed Boner
Excused:
Aaron Bell, Roxanne Horvath, Jeovanny Palencia, Catherine Robinson, and
Bob Sgroi
Staff Present:
Eric Anderson, Michael Calhoun, Lindsay Haga, Ed Lehman, Margo Moehring,
Elizabeth Payne, Donna Starling, Brian Teeple and Sheron Forde
*Approval of Minutes
President Eubanks called for a motion on the October 2, 2014 meeting minutes. Mayor Myers
moved approval of the Minutes; seconded by Mr. Register. Motion carried.
President Eubanks welcomed new members from Baker County, Commissioner James Bennett and
Mr. Michael Griffis.
Invitation to Speak
President Eubanks announced that the public is welcome to speak on any item that is brought
before the Council.
*Consent Agenda
President Eubanks asked if any items on the Consent Agenda needed to be removed.
Hearing none, he called for a motion on the Consent Agenda. Mayor Netts moved
approval of the Consent Agenda; seconded by Commissioner Anderson. Motion carried.
Committee Reports
Personnel, Budget & Finance (PB&F) Policy Committee
Chair Register reported that the PB&F Committee reviewed the September 2014 Financial
Report and on behalf of the Committee moved approval of the September 2014 Financial
Report; seconded by Mayor Brown. Motion carried.
Chair Register reported that the PB&F Committee reviewed the October 2014 Financial Report
and on behalf of the Committee moved approval of the October 2014 Financial Report;
seconded by Ms. Elaine Brown. Motion carried.
Legislative Policy Committee
In the absence of the Chair Davis, Mr. Teeple reported that staff have received legislative
priorities form all seven counties. A special meeting of the Legislative Committee will be called
to finalize the publication for printing. The Committee will not meet today.
Other Reports/Action Items
President Eubanks stated that the following items were reviewed by staff and approved, via the
alternate review method, by him for transmittal to the local government: The Town of Penney
Farms Transmitted Amendment 15-1ESR, City of Jacksonville Adopted Amendments 14-5ESR,
14-7ESR, 14-8ESR, 14-6ESR and Putnam County Adopted Amendment 14-2ESR. The items
are provided for Members review.
*St. Johns County Adopted Amendment 14-6ESR
Ms. Haga presented the St. Johns County Adopted Amendment 14-6ESR, which includes a map
and text amendment affecting 598.4 acres within the northern portion the County. She stated
that nothing has changed since the transmittal phase, which was presented to the Council at its
June 2014 meeting. A brief discussion followed.
Commissioner Stevenson motioned to find St. Johns County Adopted Amendment 146ESR consistent with the Strategic Regional Policy Plan; seconded by Ms. Brown. Motion
carried.
NEFRC December 4, 2014 Board Minutes
Page 2 of 5
*St. Johns County Transmitted Amendment 14-10ESR
Ms. Haga presented St. Johns County Transmitted Amendment 14-10ESR, which is a proposed
Future Land Use Map amendment for 54 acres located in the southeastern portion of the County.
Commissioner Stevenson motioned to approve staff’s report and transmit the review of St.
Johns County Transmitted Amendment 14-10ESR to St. Johns County; seconded by Ms.
Brown. Motion carried.
*Putnam County Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board Appointment
Mr. Lehman reported that Ms. Nancy Dale, a retiring educator, has expressed interest in
participating on the Putnam County Local Coordinating Board representing the Elderly.
Mayor Myers motioned to approve the appointment of Ms. Nancy Dale to the Putnam
County Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board; seconded by
Commissioner Pellicer. Motion carried.
Resolution 2014-20: Commissioner Chereese Stewart
Mr. Teeple presented proposed Resolution 2014-20 honoring Commissioner Chereese Stewart
for her service to the Council, the Northeast Florida Region and its citizens. Mr. Teeple read the
Resolution for approval. This resolution will be posted on the Council website following the
meeting.
President Eubanks called for a motion on Resolution 2014-20. Mr. Register moved
approval Resolution 2014-20; seconded by Commissioner Stevenson. Motion carried.
Resolution 2014-21: Mayor Vernon Myers
This item was deferred to the February meeting.
Resolution 2014-22: Mr. Hugh Fish
Mr. Teeple presented proposed Resolution 2014-22 honoring Mr. Hugh Fish for his service to
the Council, the Northeast Florida Region and its citizens. Mr. Teeple read the Resolution for
approval. This resolution will be posted on the Council website following the meeting.
President Eubanks called for a motion on Resolution 2014-22. Mr. Register moved
approval of Resolution 2014-22; seconded by Mr. Griffis. Motion carried.
Policy Update
Ms. Moehring reported that the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy won the
Outstanding Public Participating Award from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association this
year. She also provided an update on the Regional Community Institute and their continuing
efforts with the Regional Action Plans through the Regional Resiliency Public Private
Committee (P2R2).
NEFRC December 4, 2014 Board Minutes
Page 3 of 5
Florida Regional Councils Association Update
Mr. Teeple stated that the October and November activity updates along with a copy of the
FRCA 2013-14 Annual Report is provided for the Members information. He directed the
Members attention to pages within the Annual Report where the work of this Council is featured.
He stated that through the efforts of the Florida Regional Councils Association a $200,000 grant
has been obtained for all 11 Regional Councils to attend train the trainer courses on issues
relating to community resiliency and sea level rise. Once trained, the Regional Councils will
hold a symposium within our regions followed by conducting one community assessment.
Mr. Teeple stated that FRCA staff is currently strategizing with their Legislative Advocate on
ways to approach the appropriations concerns going forward.
Council Contracts Update
Mr. Teeple stated that the Council has entered into a contract with the Florida Department of
Health in the amount of $100,000 to staff the Northeast Florida Health Care Coalition; which is a
coalition of hospitals, first responders and others related to the healthcare community and their
role in disaster preparedness, mitigation and response.
Public Comment
None.
Voting Members’ Reports
Baker County’s Craft Day and Lighted Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 6,
2014. All are invited.
Keystone Heights will hold a lighted Christmas Parade on December 13, 2014 and all are
welcome.
Commissioner Stevenson announced that she has filed an irrevocable resignation to run for
House District 17 in St. Johns County. Her replacement will be appointed by the Governor at a
future date.
Mayor Myers stated that he lost his bid for reelection. Although his last day is not until January
2015, his status on the Regional Council Board has not yet been resolved. However, he has
enjoyed is time serving with all the Members.
Members/Ex-Officio Member’s Reports
Florida Department of Economic Opportunities (DEO)
Mr. Register reported on the ranking of the Country’s tax rating with Florida ranked at #5.
Department of Environmental Protection
Mr. Russell Simpson provided information on upcoming DEP training; if anyone is interested,
they can contact him directly.
NEFRC December 4, 2014 Board Minutes
Page 4 of 5
Department of Transportation
Ms. Sayeed announced the departure of Secretary Parsad, effective January 2, 2015. Also Mr.
Jim Knight has been hired to replace, the now Baker County Commissioner, James Bennett.
DOT is currently seeking input on their Tentative Work Program for 2015/16. Please visit their
website www.D2WPPH.com for more information.
St. Johns River Water Management District
Mr. Sample announced the opening of another cost-share funding cycle. Members should
submit any projects they may have for review for available funding. Two workshops have been
scheduled to discuss the application process; December 15, 2015 and January 7, 2015. Please
visit their website www.floridaswater.com for more information.
President’s Report
President Eubanks thanked the Ad-Hoc Awards Selection Committee for their work in
selecting the recipients of this year’s Regional Awards. The Executive Committee meeting is
currently scheduled for January 1st; however, as it is a holiday, the meeting, if needed, will be
moved to January 8, 2015.
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
Mr. Teeple provided a brief update of his activities as the facilitator of Putnam County Solid
Waste Advisory Board. He provided a preview of the awards that will be presented at the
Elected Officials and Regional Awards luncheon following the meeting. Mr. Teeple directed the
Members attention to the Highlights, which was provided for their information.
Next Meeting Date
The next Council Board of Director’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2015 at
10:00 a.m. at the Northeast Florida Regional Council, 6850 Belfort Oaks Place, Jacksonville, FL.
Adjournment
President Eubanks inquired if there were any other items for discussion; hearing none, the
meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
Kenny Eubanks
President
NEFRC December 4, 2014 Board Minutes
Brian D. Teeple
Chief Executive Officer
Page 5 of 5
Agenda
Item
Tab 2
Tab 2
Tab 2
Tab 2
Tab 2
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
DECEMBER 23, 2014
TO:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM:
ERIC B. ANDERSON, REGIONAL PLANNER
RE:
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION AND REVIEW (IC&R) ACTIVITY
REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2014
Staff has processed and reviewed 40 submissions for the month of December. Listed
below is a summary of the activity by category.
Environmental Resource Permits:
33 Applications
Intent to Construct a Minor Silviculture System:
0 Applications
Wetland and Surface Water Determination:
5 Applications
Request for Verification of an Exemption:
0 Applications
Notice of No Significant Impact:
1 Notice
Grant Submittals:
0 Applications
State Clearinghouse Packages:
1 Package
Grant request applications are broken down as follows:
Year to Date
$11,143,565
$68,204
$2,988,562
$1,703,664
$15,903,995
Federal
State
Applicant
Other/Local
Total
* As of December 23, 2014
Agenda
Item
Tab 3
Tab 3
Tab 3
Tab 3
Tab 3
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 23, 2015
TO:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM:
ERIC B. ANDERSON, REGIONAL PLANNER
RE:
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION AND REVIEW (IC&R) ACTIVITY
REPORT THROUGH THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2015
Staff has processed and reviewed 37 submissions for the month of January. Listed below
is a summary of the activity by category.
Environmental Resource Permits:
31 Applications
Intent to Construct a Minor Silviculture System:
0 Applications
Wetland and Surface Water Determination:
1 Application
Request for Verification of an Exemption:
0 Applications
Notice of No Significant Impact:
0 Notices
Grant Submittals:
4 Applications
State Clearinghouse Packages:
1 Package
Grant request applications are broken down as follows:
Year to Date
$ 536,589
$ 31,706
$ 1,000,000
$ 4,064,647
$ 5,632,942
Federal
State
Applicant
Other/Local
Total
* As of January 23, 2015
The attached Intergovernmental Coordination and Review (IC & R) Log highlights a
project application for federal funding or guarantees. The Review Log contains the
NEFRC designated number, project description, the applicant, funding agency, and a
breakdown of funding.
NEFRC #
FGA-15-F001
FGA-15-F002
FGA-15-F003
Project
Description
5311 Grant
5310 Grant
5310 Grant
FGA-15-SJ001
La Quinta
Applicant
Flagler County
Flagler County
Flagler County
Augustine
Development
Group
Funding
Agency
FTA
FTA
FTA
Federal
$94,562
$188,379
$253,648
USDA
IC&R Report, 2/2015
State
Applicant
Other/Local
$94,562
$188,379
$31,706
Total
$189,124
$376,758
$317,060
$1,000,000
$3,750,000
$4,750,000
$31,706
2
5310 Grants
IC&R Report, 2/2015
3
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Intergovernmental Coordination and Review Log
NEFRC Number:
FGA-15-F002
Applicant:
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners
Project Description:
Flagler County is requesting $188,379 of operating expense
reimbursement support through the 5310 Operating
Expense Program.
The current service has been providing expanded
employment trips coverage and quality of life
transportation for shopping and access to community
services for disabled passengers and the general public.
This service affects all areas of Flagler County for a total
client base of 10,502 individuals.
IC&R Report, 2/2015
4
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Intergovernmental Coordination and Review Log
NEFRC Number:
FGA-15-F00
Applicant:
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners
Project Description:
5310 Capital Assistance is being requested to replace four
(4) vehicles. The buses will ensure that current levels of
service can be maintained on routes while retiring the older
buses. The buses being replaced have high mileage and
have become mechanically unreliable.
Each vehicle is a 25 foot Turtle Top gasoline bus with a
lift. They can accommodate 16 ambulatory passengers and
3 wheelchair positions per vehicle.
Additional equipment purchases would be 4 security
cameras, and reverse camera and monitor backing systems.
IC&R Report, 2/2015
5
5311 Grants
IC&R Report, 2/2015
6
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Intergovernmental Coordination and Review Log
NEFRC Number:
FGA-15-F001
Applicant:
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners
Project Description:
The Flagler County is requesting $94,562 for Operating
Assistance under the 5311 grant program. The money being
requested would be used to fund trips originating in the
non-urbanized and rural areas of Flagler County.
Flagler County meets the statutory criteria of having at
least three of the required factors of economic distress to a
greater degree than the state of Florida as a whole.
The service area includes the entire county, as well as
portions of the neighboring counties of Volusia, St. Johns,
Duval, Alachua, Lake, and Marion when citizens need
transportation there. The vast majority of out-of-county
trips are for medically needed services not available in
Flagler County.
IC&R Report, 2/2015
7
Agenda
Item
Tab 4
Tab 4
Tab 4
Tab 4
Tab 4
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 26, 2015
TO:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THRU:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FROM:
MARGO MOEHRING, MANAGING DIRECTOR
RE:
DECEMBER/JANUARY PLANNING PROGRAMS UPDATE
PUBLIC/PRIVATE REGIONAL RESILIENCY COMMITTEE
The Committee met in December and January. They remain on track for a strategy
“launch” in the summer of 2015.
COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Pursuits of vital projects are underway through partnerships, staff and other leads. The
strategy committee will meet in June 2015 to evaluate midyear accomplishments.
TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED PROGRAM
Local Coordinating Board meetings for all six counties will be held in late February and
early March.. Issues of Medicaid reform are still being discussed. In particular, Putnam
County is continuing to see if there is some kind of legislative update that can be done
with funding to make up for the impact of Medicaid reform. This has been particularly
troublesome for our rural counties. The LCBs will be reviewing the Transportation
Disadvantaged Service Plans for necessary revisions.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
NEFRC continues to provide staffing assistance to Putnam County in managing their
SHIP program. All funds from the 2012/2013 fiscal year have been encumbered. From
the 2013/2014 fiscal year, most funds have been encumbered as well. The State
allocation for the 2014/2015 fiscal year is $365,717. The next Affordable Housing
Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2015.
Of the five homes approved for rehabilitation, three have been completed providing for
emergency repairs needed to prevent further deterioration. The two remaining projects
will construct the approved home model and demolish the existing homes. Completion is
expected within late Spring 2015.
Planning Program Board Update
Page 2 of 2
DEVELOPMENTS OF REGIONAL IMPACT (DRI)
South Old Kings
The applicant continues to prepare responses to the sufficiency questions delivered
during August 2014. The South Old Kings DRI proposes 888,550 square feet of
industrial/commerce park, 468,890 square feet of retail, 348,480 square feet of office and
2404 dwelling units over four, five year phases.
DRI staff meets as needed with project representatives for the Mayo Clinic DRI,
Downtown DRI, and the Bartram Springs DRI. At this time, changes have not been filed
to any of these three existing projects.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW
During the months of December 2014 and January 2015, Regional Council staff received
six (6) comprehensive plan amendments.
Transmitted Amendments
City of Palm Coast 15-1ESR
St. Johns County 15-1ESR
St. Johns County 15-2ESR
Adopted Amendments
Marineland 15-1ER
St. Johns County 14-10ESR
St. Johns County 14-8ESR
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
During this reporting period, staff continues to provide current planning services for the
Town of Interlachen and the Town of Pomona Park.
Agenda
Item
Tab 5
Tab 5
Tab 5
Tab 5
Tab 5
Emergency Preparedness Programs Update
January 21, 2015
Page 1 of 4
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 21, 2015
TO:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THRU:
BRIAN TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FROM:
ELIZABETH PAYNE, DIRECTOR
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS
RE:
DECEMBER 2014 AND JANUARY 2015 EMERGENCY
PROGRAMS UPDATE
PREPAREDNESS
Statewide Regional Evacuation Study Program
As part of the ongoing Statewide Regional Evacuation Study Program, NEFRC is working
on Volume 10 of the Regional Evacuation Study. Volume 10 is a Directional Storm Tide
Atlas, which analyzes the storm surge threat based on the angle of the approaching
hurricane. The GIS work for this project is underway. It is anticipated that this will be
completed in May 2015.
Additionally, Council staff is coordinating the effort for updates to the Evacuation Studies
across the State with newly revised Small Area Data, based on the 2010 Census. The focus
of the updates are transportation related and will provide new clearance times, vulnerable
population and shelter demand based on the updated demographic data. These updates for
the 10 regions in the State will be based on the work completed in Northeast Florida as part
of the 2013 update to the Northeast Florida Regional Evacuation Study.
District IV - Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
The District 4 LEPC met on November 12th at the Council for their quarterly meeting. The
LEPC has three primary objectives for the coming year. They are:
•
•
•
Review of chemical inventory reports from fixed facilities, as well as facility
hazards analysis for threats to health and safety
Develop a 3-year training calendar based on identified needs using gap analysis
More public outreach
Emergency Preparedness Programs Update
January 21, 2015
Page 2 of 4
The Hazards Analysis process has just begun within the region. Facility chemical
inspections are taking place and site pre-plans for responders are being developed. Site preplans typically highlight impacts to a community based on chemical quantities at fixed
facilities. Maps are provided that show best ingress and egress route for accessing facilities,
as well as critical facilities and vulnerable populations within a potential affected area due
to a spill or release.
The LEPC will be reviewing chemical inventories and site pre-plans for 153 facilities
within the region in the coming year. Here is a breakdown of number of facilities by
county.
Baker County – 2
Clay County – 10
Duval County – 103
Flagler County – 10
Nassau County – 7
Putnam County – 6
St. Johns County 15
*Facility Visits per County
The LEPC has embarked on the development of a 3-year training calendar. This is being
done to focus our training energy and resources towards hazardous materials response
needs. By going through this needs analysis process the LEPC can then go out and try to
procure federal training resources. The training needs analysis is the justification for free
federal training to come to our district. Capturing these federal training courses helps to
offset costs that would otherwise be absorbed by the LEPC or local departments and
agencies.
In the coming year LEPC members and staff will be trying to engage more citizen
organizations. The primary focus will be on educating the public about the activities of the
LEPC but also in addressing public education regarding potential chemical threats and
public safety.
The next meeting of the LEPC is scheduled for February 11, 2015 at 10am. The meeting
will be held at the office of the Regional Council.
Clay County Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS)
Council staff has provided technical assistance services to Clay County for their LMS
planning process over the last several years. The County’s current LMS document was
adopted in 2010 and is required to be updated every five (5) years. The 2015 update
process is underway. LMS Planning meetings have been held monthly, as part of the
regularly scheduled quarterly meetings (12/9/14) as well as interim meetings to discuss
specific sections of the LMS. The most recent meeting was held on Tuesday, January 13
and discussed the draft Hazards Analysis and Vulnerability Assessment. There is one
Emergency Preparedness Programs Update
January 21, 2015
Page 3 of 4
additional meeting scheduled for March 10, 2015, in which the final draft of the LMS Plan
will be reviewed with the group. The LMS will then be submitted to FDEM for review,
comments and approval.
Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition
The Council has directly contracted with the Florida Department of Health to receive the
funding for the NEFLHCC. Council staff provides administrative support and financial
management services to the Coalition and its Board. The Executive Board of the
NEFLHCC meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the St. Johns County
Emergency Operations Center. The January 21st meeting will discuss the final work plan
and calendar of events as related to the providing the deliverables required in the contract.
Deliverables include two multi-jurisdictional and multi-discipline training classes as well as
an HSEEP compliant tabletop exercise. A new website for the NEFLHCC has been
developed and contains information of the Coalition and its activities. www.neflhcc.org
Hazards Analysis
The Hazards Analysis contract directs staff to provide technical assistance and to conduct
physical site visits for facilities reporting Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS Chemical)
located on-site. All of the facilities in the State with these chemicals must be visited on a
2-year rotating basis.
There are a total of 153 facilities, with EHS chemicals, that will be visited in the coming
year in the region. Staff at the Council will be visit 40 facilities in Baker, Clay, Nassau,
Putnam, and St. Johns Counties. There are 103 facilities in Duval County that are visited by
Jacksonville Fire/Rescue and Flagler County has 10 facilities that are visited by Flagler
County Fire/Rescue.
Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Planning and Training
The HMEP Training Program has kicked into high gear. The LEPC Training Subcommittee
identified 7 potential hazardous materials related courses that they would like staff to offer
to responders in the region.
A Hazardous Materials Incident Commander: Street Level Command and Control course
was offered in Clay and St. Johns counties in November late-November. A total of 55
responders attended this operational level course.
The LEPC just sent 30 responders to the 3rd Annual Hazardous Materials Symposium in
Daytona Beach. The symposium was held in conjunction with the Fire/Rescue East annual
conference. Over 200+ responders attended this year’s event, which marks the third
consecutive year of growth. This year’s Symposium also included a HazMat Team
competition. Clay County HazMat team represented the northeast Florida region.
Staff has been working diligently with CSX on conducting classes within the district on a
new responder resource known as Operation Respond. This web based program allows
responders to access train manifest, railcar diagram, and shipping information for each
Emergency Preparedness Programs Update
January 21, 2015
Page 4 of 4
railcar. In the event of an accident or derailment responders now have direct access to
information that can assist them in making real time decisions for response, and in keeping
the public safe.
The HMEP Planning project will be a functional exercise based on a train derailment with
cars carrying chlorine gas. The exercise will be multi-agencies and will test at least two
areas of the LEPC Hazardous Materials Response Plan. This is also great practical
application for response agencies. This exercise will give them a chance to test their
policies and training using a mock scenario, and hopefully providing valuable practice in
case of a real event.
Agenda
Item
Tab 6
Tab 6
Tab 6
Tab 6
Tab 6
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
January 5, 2015
TO:
Northeast Florida Regional Council
THRU:
Darryl Register, Personnel, Budget & Finance Committee Chair
FROM:
Donna Starling, Chief Financial Officer
RE:
November 2014 Financial Report
DS
The Northeast Florida Regional Council posted a Net Loss of $13,074 for the month of
November and a Year to Date Loss of $22,453. Revenues for the month of November
were $110,445. Expenses for the month were $123,518.
The loss is largely attributed to staff salaries and expenses associated with unfunded
programs and continued unfunded statutory requirements, payment of the quarterly
Florida Regional Council Association (FRCA) dues and the annual payment for Directors
and Officer’s insurance.
Agencywide
Regional Council - Agencywide
Income/Budget Comparison
Adopted
Budget 14/15
November 2014
Represents
17% of Fiscal
Year
YTD
Budget
Variance
Revenues
County
$
623,091
51,924
103,849
17%
0%
Matrix Programs
$ 1,134,990
56,240
122,878
11%
-6%
North Florida Procurement Association
$
14,000
254
824
6%
-11%
Tenant Revenue
$
33,175
1,800
4,283
13%
-4%
Anticipated Revenue/Other
$
-
228
717
0%
0%
TOTAL REVENUES
$ 1,805,256
232,551
13%
$
110,445
$
Expenses
Salaries and Fringe
$
898,474
69,845
155,429
17%
0%
Contract/Grant Direct Expenses
$
363,000
15,517
27,639
8%
-9%
Common/Indirect - Allocated Expenses*
$
367,885
23,650
51,721
14%
-3%
General Fund Expense*
$
175,897
14,507
20,214
11%
-6%
TOTAL EXPENSES
$ 1,805,256
255,004
14%
Net Income (loss)
*Excludes Salaries & Fringe
November 2014
$
123,518
$
(13,074) $
(22,453)
Matrix Programs
Matrix Programs
Income/Budget Comparison
Adopted Budget
14/15
November 2014
Represents 17%
of Fiscal Year
YTD
Budget
Variance
Revenues
Local Government T. A.
$
110,549
12,400
28,143
25%
8%
Development of Regional Impact (DRI)
$
40,000
24
842
2%
-15%
Transportation Disadvantaged (TD)
$
126,933
10,697
20,402
16%
-1%
Economic Development Administration (EDA)
$
60,000
7,050
13,524
23%
6%
Hurricane Study Update and Training
$
348,000
9,468
31,426
9%
-8%
Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC)
$
40,909
7,849
17,612
43%
26%
Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP)
$
58,300
8,106
8,280
14%
-3%
Division of Emergency Management (DEM) T. A.
$
40,000
175
2,181
5%
-12%
Small Quantity Generator (SQG) Program
$
5,000
-
-
0%
-17%
Regional Leadership Academy (RLA)
$
2,700
-
-
0%
-17%
Special Projects
$
10,000
-
-
0%
-17%
Additional Revenue Needed/Other Revenue
$
292,599
469
469
0%
-17%
TOTAL REVENUES
$ 1,134,990 $
56,240
122,878
11%
Salaries/Fringe
$
400,150
36,380
77,556
19%
2%
Direct
$
349,000
15,133
26,163
7%
-10%
Common/Indirect
$
385,840
28,476
61,464
16%
-1%
TOTAL EXPENSES
$ 1,134,990 $
79,988
165,183
15%
$
Expenses
Net Income (loss)
November 2014
$
$
(23,749) $
(42,306)
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Balance Sheet
November 2014
FY 13/14
November 2013
FY 14/15
November 2014
1,493,597
274,885
1,977
4,584
1,151,459
206,163
2,851
3,584
1,775,043
1,364,056
Office Furniture and Equipment
Land
Building
Building Improvements
744,798
271,910
1,928,090
948,286
729,187
271,910
1,928,090
948,286
Less Accumulated Depreciation
1,572,354
1,676,990
Total Property and Equipment, net
2,320,730
2,200,484
Total Assets
4,095,773
3,564,540
7,042
95,744
338,378
5,758
1,552,981
4,460
76,716
118,894
5,758
1,470,803
1,999,903
1,676,631
2,095,870
1,887,909
2,095,870
1,887,909
4,095,773
3,564,540
ASSETS
Cash*
Accounts Receivable
Prepaid Expenses
Closing Cost
Total Current Assets
Property and Equipment:
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable
Accrued Salaries and Leave
Deferred Revenue
Tenant Deposits
Notes Payable
Total Liabilities
EQUITY
Equity and Other Credits:
Retained Earnings
Total Equity and Other Credits
Total Liabilities, Equity and
Other Credits
* Cash includes advance funding for various contracts and remaining proceeds
from the building note refinance that have not been expensed to date.
YTD Comparison
13/14
14/15
13/14
14/15
Net Income (Loss)
Net Income (Loss)
Cash Balance
Cash Balance
AGENCYWIDE
October
$
8,466
$
(9,380)
$
1,604,590
$
1,143,919
November
$
1,994
$
(22,453)
$
1,493,597
$
1,151,459
December
$
(8,265)
$
-
$
1,453,681
$
-
January
$
(28,984)
$
-
$
1,365,304
$
-
February
$
(44,222)
$
-
$
1,348,816
$
-
March
$
(67,529)
$
-
$
1,223,489
$
-
April
$
(87,601)
$
-
$
1,394,325
$
-
May
$
(112,210)
$
-
$
1,340,041
$
-
June
$
(119,405)
$
-
$
1,282,690
$
-
July
$
(126,743)
$
-
$
1,392,312
$
-
August
$
(140,986)
$
-
$
1,335,802
$
-
September
$
(183,513)
$
-
$
1,239,305
$
-
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
January 5, 2015
TO:
Northeast Florida Regional Council
THRU:
Brian Teeple, Chief Executive Officer
FROM:
Donna Starling, Chief Financial Officer
RE:
November Investment Report
DS
Bank Account Interest
FY 13/14
FY 14/15
November Interest
$
20
$
19
Year to Date Interest
$
41
$
40
Florida Local Government Investment Trust
Current Balance
FY 13/14
FY 14/15
$16,258
$16,263
Agenda
Item
Tab 7
Tab 7
Tab 7
Tab 7
Tab 7
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
January 28, 2015
TO:
Northeast Florida Regional Council
THRU:
Darryl Register, Personnel, Budget & Finance Committee Chair
FROM:
Donna Starling, Chief Financial Officer
RE:
December 2014 Financial Report
DS
The Northeast Florida Regional Council posted a Net Loss of $8,237 for the month of
December and a Year to Date Loss of $30,690. Revenues for the month of December
were $134,166. Expenses for the month were $142,403.
The loss is largely attributed to staff salaries and expenses associated with unfunded
programs and statutory requirements. We also paid the first installment payment for our
audit in December.
Agencywide
Regional Council - Agencywide
Income/Budget Comparison
Adopted
Budget 14/15
December 2014
YTD
Represents
25% of Fiscal
Year
Budget
Variance
Revenues
County
$
623,091
51,924
155,773
25%
0%
Matrix Programs
$ 1,134,990
71,456
194,333
17%
-8%
North Florida Procurement Association
$
14,000
561
1,385
10%
-15%
Tenant Revenue
$
33,175
5,050
9,333
28%
3%
Anticipated Revenue/Other
$
-
5,175
5,892
0%
0%
TOTAL REVENUES
$ 1,805,256
366,717
20%
$
134,166
$
Expenses
Salaries and Fringe
$
898,474
65,493
220,922
25%
0%
Contract/Grant Direct Expenses
$
363,000
29,540
57,180
16%
-9%
Common/Indirect - Allocated Expenses*
$
367,885
35,075
86,796
24%
-1%
General Fund Expense*
$
175,897
12,294
32,509
18%
-7%
TOTAL EXPENSES
$ 1,805,256
397,407
22%
Net Income (loss)
*Excludes Salaries & Fringe
December 2014
$
142,403
$
(8,237) $
(30,690)
Matrix Programs
Matrix Programs
Income/Budget Comparison
Adopted Budget
14/15
December 2014
Represents 25%
of Fiscal Year
YTD
Budget
Variance
Revenues
Local Government T. A.
$
110,549
16,118
44,261
40%
15%
Development of Regional Impact (DRI)
$
40,000
696
1,537
4%
-21%
Transportation Disadvantaged (TD)
$
126,933
8,147
28,549
22%
-3%
Economic Development Administration (EDA)
$
60,000
4,204
17,727
30%
5%
Hurricane Study Update and Training
$
348,000
31,229
62,654
18%
-7%
Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC)
$
40,909
2,382
19,993
49%
24%
Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP)
$
58,300
3,508
11,788
20%
-5%
Division of Emergency Management (DEM) T. A.
$
40,000
-
2,181
5%
-20%
Small Quantity Generator (SQG) Program
$
5,000
-
-
0%
-25%
Regional Leadership Academy (RLA)
$
2,700
-
-
0%
-25%
NE Florida Healthcare Coalition
$
-
4,280
4,280
0%
0%
Special Projects
$
10,000
-
-
0%
-25%
Additional Revenue Needed/Other Revenue
$
292,599
1,361
0%
-25%
TOTAL REVENUES
$ 1,134,990 $
71,456
194,333
17%
Salaries/Fringe
$
400,150
36,796
114,352
29%
4%
Direct
$
349,000
28,952
55,115
16%
-9%
Common/Indirect
$
385,840
34,479
95,943
25%
0%
TOTAL EXPENSES
$ 1,134,990 $
100,227
265,410
23%
893
$
Expenses
Net Income (loss)
December 2014
$
$
(28,771) $
(71,077)
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Balance Sheet
December 2014
FY 13/14
December 2013
FY 14/15
December 2014
1,453,681
249,503
1,779
4,500
1,090,388
189,407
3,406
-
1,709,464
1,283,202
Office Furniture and Equipment
Land
Building
Building Improvements
744,798
271,910
1,928,090
948,286
729,187
271,910
1,928,090
948,286
-
Less Accumulated Depreciation
1,584,722
1,689,472
Total Property and Equipment, net
2,308,362
2,188,001
Total Assets
4,017,826
3,471,203
18,852
94,315
267,041
5,758
1,546,250
11,810
73,066
40,832
5,758
1,463,815
1,932,215
1,595,281
2,085,611
1,875,922
2,085,611
1,875,922
4,017,826
3,471,203
ASSETS
Cash*
Accounts Receivable
Prepaid Expenses
Closing Cost
Total Current Assets
Property and Equipment:
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable
Accrued Salaries and Leave
Deferred Revenue
Tenant Deposits
Notes Payable
Total Liabilities
EQUITY
Equity and Other Credits:
Retained Earnings
Total Equity and Other Credits
Total Liabilities, Equity and
Other Credits
* Cash includes advance funding for various contracts and remaining proceeds
from the building note refinance that have not been expensed to date.
YTD Comparison
13/14
14/15
13/14
14/15
Net Income (Loss)
Net Income (Loss)
Cash Balance
Cash Balance
AGENCYWIDE
October
$
8,466
$
(9,380)
$
1,604,590
$
1,143,919
November
$
1,994
$
(22,453)
$
1,493,597
$
1,151,459
December
$
(8,265)
$
(30,690)
$
1,453,681
$
1,090,388
January
$
(28,984)
$
-
$
1,365,304
$
-
February
$
(44,222)
$
-
$
1,348,816
$
-
March
$
(67,529)
$
-
$
1,223,489
$
-
April
$
(87,601)
$
-
$
1,394,325
$
-
May
$
(112,210)
$
-
$
1,340,041
$
-
June
$
(119,405)
$
-
$
1,282,690
$
-
July
$
(126,743)
$
-
$
1,392,312
$
-
August
$
(140,986)
$
-
$
1,335,802
$
-
September
$
(183,513)
$
-
$
1,239,305
$
-
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
January 28, 2015
TO:
Northeast Florida Regional Council
THRU:
Brian Teeple, Chief Executive Officer
FROM:
Donna Starling, Chief Financial Officer
RE:
December Investment Report
DS
Bank Account Interest
FY 13/14
FY 14/15
December Interest
$
22
$
23
Year to Date Interest
$
63
$
63
Florida Local Government Investment Trust
Current Balance
FY 13/14
FY 14/15
$16,237
$16,329
Agenda
Item
Tab 8
Tab 8
Tab 8
Tab 8
Tab 8
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 28, 2015
TO:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL
THRU:
DARRYL REGISTER, PERSONNEL, BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR
FROM:
DONNA STARLING, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
RE:
FISCAL YEAR 2013/2014 AUDIT
DS
Enclosed is the audit for fiscal year 2013/2014 for your review. The audit will be
presented at the February 2015 board meeting by our auditors, Carr, Riggs & Ingram,
LLC.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you.
Northeast Florida
Regional Council
Financial Statements and
Independent Auditor’s Reports
September 30, 2014
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Table of Contents
September 30, 2014
Page
Independent Auditor’s Report
1
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
3
Basic Financial Statements
Government-wide Financial Statements:
Statement of Net Position
12
Statement of Activities
13
Fund Financial Statements:
Balance Sheet – Governmental Funds
14
Reconciliation of the Balance Sheet to the Statement of Net
Position
15
Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund
Balance – Governmental Funds
16
Reconciliation of the Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and
Changes in Fund Balance to the Statement of Activities
17
Notes to Financial Statements
18
Required Supplementary Information
Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund
Balances – Budget and Actual – Budgetary Basis
29
Additional Report
Independent Auditor’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting and on Compliance and Other Matters Based on an
Audit of Financial Statements Performed in Accordance with
Government Auditing Standards
30
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC
1301 Plantation Island Drive
Suite 205A
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
(904) 471-3445
(904) 471-3825 (fax)
www.cricpa.com
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
Board of Directors
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Report on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities and the
major fund of Northeast Florida Regional Council (the “Council”), as of and for the year ended
September 30, 2014, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively
comprise the Council’s basic financial statements as listed in the table of contents.
Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial
statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant
to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements based on our audit. We
conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United
States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government
Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Those standards
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s
judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial
statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor
considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the
financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes
evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of
significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a
basis for our audit opinions.
-1-
Opinions
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the respective financial position of the governmental activities and the major fund of the Council
as of September 30, 2014, and the respective changes in financial position thereof for the year
then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
Other Matters
Required Supplementary Information
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that the
management’s discussion and analysis and the schedule of revenues, expenditures and
changes in fund balances–budget and actual–budgetary basis be presented to supplement the
basic financial statements. Such information, although not a part of the basic financial
statements, is required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, who considers it to
be an essential part of financial reporting for placing the basic financial statements in an
appropriate operational, economic, or historical context. We have applied certain limited
procedures to the required supplementary information in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States of America, which consisted of inquiries of management
about the methods of preparing the information and comparing the information for consistency
with management’s responses to our inquiries, the basic financial statements, and other
knowledge we obtained during our audit of the basic financial statements. We do not express an
opinion or provide any assurance on the information because the limited procedures do not
provide us with sufficient evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance.
Other Reporting Required by Government Auditing Standards
In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated
January 26, 2015, on our consideration of the Council’s internal control over financial
reporting and on our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations,
contracts, and grant agreements and other matters. The purpose of that report is to describe
the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the
results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on internal control over financial reporting
or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with
Government Auditing Standards in considering the Council’s internal control over financial
reporting and compliance
St. Augustine, Florida
January 26, 2015
-2-
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
As management of the Northeast Florida Regional Council (Council), we offer readers of the
Council’s financial statements this narrative overview and analysis of the financial activities of
the Council for the fiscal year 2013-2014. We encourage readers to read the information
presented here in conjunction with additional information furnished in the Council’s financial
statements, which follow this narrative.
Financial Highlights










The assets of the Council exceeded its liabilities at the close of the fiscal year by
$1,906,611.
The Council’s net position decreased by $187,263.
The Council’s total assets decreased by $412,705 resulting from a decrease in cash and
accounts receivable, as well as a decrease in capital assets.
The Council’s total liabilities decreased by $225,442. The decrease is mainly attributed
to a decrease in deferred revenues and long-term liabilities.
County dues for fiscal year 2013-2014 remained at $623,091 for the sixth consecutive
year.
The funds the Council receives from the Department of Commerce Economic
Development Administration for its designation as an Economic Development District
was extended through December 2016 resulting in an additional $189,000 in funding
over the next three years.
The Council received a contract from Baker County to administer the State Housing
Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program for the County. The Council already administers
the program for Putnam County.
The Council entered into a contract with Clay County for $27,000 to complete the
County’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
The Council received funding of $125,000 to conduct an All-Hazards Type III
Communications Technician (COM-T) training course for the State of Florida Division of
Emergency Management.
In June 2014 the Council released the Statewide Regional Evacuation Study and, as a
result of the Study, has received additional funding from the Florida Division of
Emergency Management to perform Census updates and develop a Statewide
Directional Atlas for the State of Florida.
-3-
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Overview of the Financial Statements
This discussion and analysis is intended to serve as an introduction to the Council’s basic
financial statements. The Council’s basic financial statements consist of three components: 1)
government-wide financial statements, 2) fund financial statements, and 3) notes to the financial
statements. The basic financial statements present two different views of the Council using
government-wide statements and fund financial statements. In addition to the basic financial
statements, this report contains other supplemental information to enhance the reader’s
understanding of the financial condition of the Council.
Required Components of Annual Financial Report
Figure 1
Management’s
Basic
Discussion and
Financial
Analysis
Statements
Government-wide
Fund
Notes to the
Financial
Financial
Financial
Statements
Statements
Statements
-4-
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Government-Wide Financial Statements
The government-wide financial statements are designed to provide the reader with a broad
overview of the Council’s finances. Similar in format to financial statements of a private-sector
business, the government-wide statements provide short and long-term information about the
Council’s financial status as a whole.
The statement of net position (Page 12) presents information on all of the Council’s assets and
liabilities, with the difference between the two reported as net position. Over time, increases or
decreases in net position may serve as a useful indicator of the Council’s financial position.
The statement of activities (Page 13) presents information showing how the Council’s net
position changed during the most recent fiscal year. All changes in net position are reported
using the accrual basis of accounting. Therefore, all current year’s revenues and expenses are
taken into account regardless of when the cash is received or expenses are paid.
Fund Financial Statements
The fund financial statements (Pages 14-17) provide a more detailed look at the Council’s most
significant activities. A fund is a grouping of related accounts used to maintain control over
resources established for the purpose of carrying on activities or attaining objectives in
accordance with specific regulations, restrictions or limitations. For financial statement
presentation, funds with similar characteristics are grouped into generic fund types as required
by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Council’s funds are classified into one
category: governmental.
Governmental Funds
The Council’s basic activities are accounted for in governmental funds. These funds focus on
how assets can readily be converted into cash and what monies are left at year-end that will be
available for spending in the next year. As of the close of the current fiscal year, the Council’s
governmental funds reported an unassigned fund balance of approximately $1.2 million.
Governmental funds financial statements give the reader a detailed short-term view to help
them determine if there are more or less financial resources available to finance the Council’s
programs.
Notes to the Financial Statements
The notes provide additional information essential to a full understanding of the data provided in
the government-wide and fund financial statements. The notes to the financial statements are
on pages 18-28 of the report.
-5-
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Government-Wide Financial Analysis
For fiscal year 2013-2014, the Council was compliant with the Government Accounting
Standard Board (GASB) Statement No. 34 reporting model.
Northeast Florida Regional Council’s Net Position
Figure 2
Governmental
Activities
2012-2013
Current and other assets
Capital assets (net of accumulated depreciation)
$
Total assets
1,741,231
2,346,527
Variance
2013-2014
$
1,450,043
2,225,010
$
(291,188)
(121,517)
4,087,758
3,675,053
(412,705)
Current liabilities
Long term liabilities
356,824
1,637,060
214,915
1,553,527
(141,909)
(83,533)
Total liabilities
1,993,884
1,768,442
(225,442)
768,526
17,537
1,307,811
728,675
15,573
1,162,363
(39,851)
(1,964)
(145,448)
Net position:
Net investment in capital assets
Restricted
Unrestricted
Total net position
$
2,093,874
$
1,906,611
$
(187,263)
As shown in Figure 2, net position may serve over time as a useful indicator of a government’s
financial condition. The assets of the Council exceeded liabilities by $1,906,611 in fiscal year
2013-2014. Also in fiscal year 2013-2014, the Council’s net position decreased by $187,263.
The decrease is primary due to the following:



A decrease in cash as a result a decrease in the Council’s net position for the year.
There was also a decrease in accounts receivable and deferred revenues due to
decrease in emergency preparedness contracts for the fiscal year.
A decrease in capital assets due to the recognition of depreciation and the disposal of
assets in fiscal year 2013-2014, net of additions.
A decrease in long-term liabilities by $83,533 largely attributed to payment of the current
portion of the principal balance of the building note.
___________________________
-6-
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Governmental Activities
Governmental activities decreased the Council’s net position by $187,263, as shown in
Figure 3. Factors that attributed to the decrease are as follows:





Federal revenues decreased largely as a result of decreased funding for emergency
preparedness programs in fiscal year 2013-2014. The Council also completed a onetime contract in fiscal year 2012-2013 to develop a digital forensic investigation
computer system.
State revenues increased with the receipt of funding for programs associated with the
management of the Statewide Regional Evacuation Study Program (SRESP). The
Council also received State funding to conduct an All-Hazards Type III Communications
Technician (COM-T) training course.
Local government revenues decreased due to fewer local government contracts in fiscal
year 2013-2014 as a result of tough budgetary constraints faced by local governments.
Personnel service expenditures decreased primarily resulting from a reduction in staff.
Direct charges decreased in large part due to a decrease in contractual and consultant
services with the reduction in funding for emergency preparedness programs and a
decrease in computer hardware and software purchases with the completion of the
development of a digital forensic investigation computer system in fiscal year 20122013.
-7-
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Regional Council’s Changes in Net Position
Figure 3
Governmental
Activities
2012-2013
2013-2014
Revenues
County assessments
Federal grants
State grants
Local government/DRI Fees
North Florida Procurement Association
Regional Leadership Academy
Regional Community Institute
Tenant revenue
Other
$
Total revenues
Expenses
Personnel service
Direct charges
Common/indirect
Total expenses
Change in net position
623,091
1,666,898
384,958
219,950
17,176
3,100
150
33,878
53,442
$
(1,260,144)
208,107
(1,889)
(5,317)
(750)
548
614
(7,902)
1,935,910
(1,066,733)
950,904
1,355,097
712,322
903,067
521,004
699,102
(47,837)
(834,093)
(13,220)
3,018,323
2,123,173
(895,150)
(187,263)
2,109,554
Net position, end of year
$
3,002,643
(15,680)
Net position, beginning of year
623,091
406,754
593,065
218,061
11,859
2,350
698
34,492
45,540
Variance
$ 2,093,874
(171,583)
2,093,874
$
1,906,611
(15,680)
$
(187,263)
Financial Analysis of Council Funds
The Council uses fund accounting to ensure and demonstrate compliance with finance-related
legal requirements. The Council has one governmental fund, the General Fund.
Governmental Funds
The Council’s basic activities are accounted for in governmental funds. These funds focus on
how assets can readily be converted into cash flow in and out, and what monies are left at yearend that will be available for spending in the next year. Governmental funds’ financial
statements give the reader a detailed short-term view to help him or her determine if there are
more or less financial resources available to finance the Council’s programs.
-8-
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Budgetary Highlight
The Council did not amend the budget during the fiscal year 2013-2014. The variances in
revenue between the budget and final revenues received are the result of unrealized revenues
and additional contract funding acquired during the fiscal year but not available for inclusion at
the time the budget was prepared. For budgeting purposes, common/indirect excludes salaries
and fringe benefits. Those costs are included in personnel service.
The variance between the budget and actual revenues and expenses (Figure 4) is primarily
attributable to a decrease in funding for emergency preparedness programs.
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Budget to Actual – Fiscal Year 2013-2014
Figure 4
Budgeted Amounts
Original
Final
Revenues
County assessments
Federal grants
State grants
Local government and DRI fees
North Florida Procurement Association
Regional Leadership Academy
Regional Community Institute
Tenant revenue
Other
$
Total revenues
Expenditures
Personnel service
Direct charges
Common/indirect
Total expenditures
Net change in fund balance
623,091
772,700
622,842
245,000
14,000
3,600
1,500
33,177
110,000
$
Actual
623,091
772,700
622,842
245,000
14,000
3,600
1,500
33,177
110,000
$
623,091
406,754
593,065
218,061
11,859
2,350
698
34,492
45,540
Variance
$
(365,946)
(29,777)
(26,939)
(2,141)
(1,250)
(802)
1,315
(64,460)
2,425,910
2,425,910
1,935,910
(490,000)
1,292,191
749,651
384,068
1,292,191
749,651
384,068
1,256,297
521,004
345,872
(35,894)
(228,647)
(38,196)
2,425,910
2,425,910
2,123,173
(302,737)
$
-
-9-
$
-
$
(187,263)
$
(187,263)
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
NEFRC Financial Analysis
Total assets decreased due to a decrease in cash which is the result of a reduction in the
Council’s net position and a decrease in accounts receivable due to a decrease in emergency
preparedness contracts for the fiscal year. Capital assets also decreased resulting from the
recognition of depreciation and disposal of assets, net of additions. Total liabilities decreased
mainly due to a decrease in deferred revenues with the decrease in emergency preparedness
contracts and a decrease in long-term liabilities largely attributed to the payment of the current
portion of the principal balance of the building note.
Revenues decreased in large part due to decreases in emergency preparedness funding and
the completion of a federal contract for the development of a digital forensic investigation
computer system in fiscal year 2012-2013. State revenues increased with the receipt of funding
for programs associated with the management of the Statewide Regional Evacuation Study
Program (SRESP). The Council also received State funding to conduct an All-Hazards Type III
Communications Technician (COM-T) training course. Local government revenues decreased
due to fewer local government contracts in fiscal year 2013-2014 as a result of tough budgetary
constraints faced by local governments. Personnel service expenditures decreased primarily
resulting from a reduction in staffing. Direct charges decreased in large part due to a decrease
in contractual and consultant services with the reduction in emergency preparedness funding
and the completion of a federal contract for the development of a digital forensic investigation in
fiscal year 2012-2013.
NEFRC Capital Assets
The Council’s investment in capital assets for fiscal year 2013-2014 is $2,225,010 (Figure 5),
net of accumulated depreciation of $1,651,714.
Capital Assets
Figure 5
Equipment, furniture, and software
Land
Building and improvements
Total property, plant and equipment
Accumulated depreciation
Property, plant and equipment, net
2012-2013
$
744,797
271,910
2,876,376
2013-2014
$
728,438
271,910
2,876,376
3,893,083
3,876,724
(1,546,557)
(1,651,714)
$ 2,346,526
$ 2,225,010
Additional information on the Council’s capital assets can be found in Note 4 of the Notes to the
Financial Statements.
- 10 -
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
NEFRC Long-Term Debt
As of September 30, 2014, the Council’s long-term obligations consisted of notes payable with
an original balance of $1.96 million for the purchase of the building in 2001 and compensated
absences. The Council refinanced the building note in June 2008 at a fixed interest rate of
3.75% with a 10 year maturity, amortization over 20 years. Additional information regarding the
Council’s long-term debt can be found in Note 6 of the Notes to the Financial Statements.
NEFRC Economic Factors and Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Budget
Fiscal Year 2014-2015 will continue to be a challenging budgetary year due to the uncertain
economy and the adverse effects it may have on the Council’s funding by federal, state and
local governments. Management is actively working to reduce expenditures, as well as pursuing
expanded and new programmatic opportunities, in order to supplement, to the extent possible,
any budget cuts received.
DRI revenues are affected by economic growth in northeast Florida. The downturn in the
housing market has caused a slowdown in DRI activity, which is anticipated to continue over the
next few years.
Local government funding will remain uncertain as local governments face tough budgetary
constraints that will most likely effect the Council’s local government technical assistance
contracts.
NEFRC Budget Forecast for Fiscal Year Ending 2014-2015
Federal and state funding for emergency preparedness programs is uncertain for the upcoming
year. However, the Statewide Regional Evacuation Study Program is expected to receive
funding for additional projects and updates.
Funding for the Economic Development District and Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) is
expected to continue for fiscal year 2014-2015.
Lastly, the Council has become the administrative and fiscal agent for the newly formed
Northeast Florida Healthcare Coalition, in which the Council contracts directly with the State
Department of Health. It is anticipated that this will be a multi-year arrangement.
Request for Information
This report is designed to provide an overview of the Council’s finances for those with an
interest in this area. Questions concerning any of the information found in this report or requests
for additional information should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer, Northeast Florida
Regional Council, 6850 Belfort Oaks Place, Jacksonville, and FL 32216.
- 11 -
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Statement of Net Position
As of September 30, 2014
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Restricted assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Capital assets
$ 1,223,732
210,738
15,573
2,225,010
Total assets
3,675,053
Liabilities
Accounts payable
Accrued salaries
Unearned revenue
Tenant deposits
Long-term liabilities:
Due within one year
Due after one year
141,974
1,411,553
Total liabilities
1,768,442
105,765
21,150
82,242
5,758
Net position
Net investment in capital assets
Restricted net position
Unrestricted net position
728,675
15,573
1,162,363
Total net position
$ 1,906,611
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
-12-
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Statement of Activities
Year ended September 30, 2014
Program Revenues
Expenses
Functions/programs
General government:
Financial and administration
Planning and growth management
Emergency preparedness
North Florida Procurement
Regional Leadership Academy
Regional Community Institute
Debt service - interest
Total governmental activities
$
Operating
grants and
contributions
Charges for
services
356,459
762,931
882,095
11,859
18,634
33,414
57,781
$
135,503
107,702
11,859
2,350
698
-
$
238,577
761,242
-
$ 2,123,173
$
258,112
$
999,819
General revenues
Membership dues
Interest Income
Tenant revenue
Miscellaneous
Total general revenues
Change in net position
Net position - beginning of year
Net position - end of year
See accompanying notes to financial statements
- 13 -
Total
$
(356,459)
(388,851)
(13,151)
(16,284)
(32,716)
(57,781)
(865,242)
623,091
355
34,492
20,041
677,979
(187,263)
2,093,874
$ 1,906,611
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Balance Sheet - Governmental Funds
As of September 30, 2014
General
Fund
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Restricted assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,223,732
210,738
15,573
Total assets
Liabilities and fund balances
Liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued salaries
Unearned revenue
Tenant deposits
$
1,450,043
$
105,765
21,150
82,242
5,758
Total liabilities
214,915
Fund balances;
Restricted
Unassigned
15,573
1,219,555
Total fund balances
1,235,128
Total liabilities and fund balances
$
See accompanying notes to financial statements
- 14 -
1,450,043
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Reconciliation of the Balance Sheet to the Statement of Net Position
As of September 30, 2014
Fund balance - governmental fund
$
1,235,128
Amounts reported for governmental activities in the statement of net position are
different because:
Capital assets used in governmental activities are not financial resources and,
therefore, are not reported in the fund.
2,225,010
Long-term liabilities are not due and payable in the current period and, therefore,
are not reported in the fund:
Note payable
Compensated absences
Net position of governmental activities
(1,496,335)
(57,192)
$
See accompanying notes to financial statements
- 15 -
1,906,611
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance
Governmental Funds
Year ended September 30, 2014
General
Fund
Revenues
County assessments
Federal grants
State grants
Local government
North Florida Procurement
Regional Leadership Academy
Regional Community Institute
Tenant revenue
Interest income
Other
$
Total revenues
623,091
406,754
593,065
218,061
11,859
2,350
698
34,492
355
45,185
1,935,910
Expenditures
Personnel services
Direct charges
Common/indirect
Debt service:
Principal
Interest
Capital outlay:
Property, plant and equipment
904,934
496,754
516,964
81,666
57,781
27,091
Total expenditures
2,085,190
(149,280)
Excess of revenues under expenditures
1,384,408
Fund balance, October 1, 2013
Fund balance, September 30, 2014
$ 1,235,128
See accompanying notes to financial statements
-16-
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Reconciliation of the Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes
in Fund Balance to the Statement of Activities
Year ended September 30, 2014
Excess of revenues under expenditures – governmental fund
$
(149,280)
Amounts reported for governmental activities in the statement
of activities are different because:
Governmental funds report capital outlays as expenditures.
However, in the statement of activities, the cost of those
assets is depreciated over their estimated useful lives.
27,091
Some expenses reported in the statement of activities
do not require the use of current financial resources and,
therefore, are not reported as expenditures in governmental
funds.
Depreciation
Compensated absences
(148,607)
1,867
Governmental funds do not show long-term debt on the balance
sheet. However, the current principal payments and the current
interest paid related to the debt are reported on the statement of
revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balance. This is the
amount by which the principal balance was reduced for current year.
Change in net position of governmental activities
See accompanying notes to financial statements
- 17 -
81,666
$
(187,263)
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting policies of the Northeast Florida Regional Council (the “Council”) conform to
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as applicable to governments. The following is
a summary of the more significant policies.
Financial Reporting Entity
The Council was organized pursuant to Chapter 186 of the Florida Statues, as amended,
and specifically created by an interlocal agreement pursuant to Chapter 163, Florida
Statutes, in order to provide local governments with a means of conducting a regional
planning process to ensure orderly and balanced growth and development within the
Northeast Florida Region (including the counties of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau,
Putnam, and St. Johns).
Criteria for determining if other entities are potential component units of the Council which
should be reported with the Council’s basic financial statements are identified and described
in the Governmental Accounting Standards Board’s (GASB) Statement No. 14, The
Financial Reporting Entity, as amended by GASB Statement No. 61. The application of
these criteria provide for identification of any entities for which the Council is financially
accountable and other organizations for which the nature and significance of their
relationship with the Council are such that exclusion would cause the Council’s basic
financial statements to be misleading or incomplete. Based on these criteria, no component
units are included within the reporting entity of the Council.
Fund Structure
The Council's accounts are maintained in accordance with the principles of fund accounting
to ensure compliance with limitations and restrictions placed on the use of resources
available to it. Under fund accounting, individual funds are established for the purpose of
carrying on activities or attaining objectives in accordance with specific regulations,
restrictions or limitations. Each individual fund is a self-balancing set of accounts recording
cash and other financing resources, together with liabilities and residual equities or
balances, and changes therein. For financial statement presentation, funds with similar
characteristics, including those component units referenced above, are grouped into generic
fund types as required by GAAP.
Basis of Presentation
Government-wide Statements: The statement of net position and the statement of activities
display information about the primary government. These statements include the financial
activities of the overall government. These statements distinguish between the
governmental activities of the Council. Governmental activities generally are financed
through taxes, intergovernmental revenues, and other non-exchange transactions.
Fund Financial Statements: The fund financial statements provide information about the
Council’s funds. The emphasis of fund financial accounting is on major governmental funds,
each displayed in a separate column.
- 18 -
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Fund Types and Major Funds
The Council reports the following major governmental fund:
General Fund – reports as primary fund for the Council.
Measurement Focus, Basis of Accounting
Government-wide Financial Statements. The government-wide financial statements are
reported using the economic resources measurement focus and are reported using the
accrual basis of accounting. Revenues are recorded when earned and expenses are
recorded at the time liabilities are incurred, regardless of when the related cash flows take
place. Non-exchange transactions, in which the Council gives (or receives) value without
directly receiving (or giving) equal value in exchange, include grants, entitlements, and
donations. Revenue from grants, entitlements, and donations is recognized in the fiscal year
in which all eligibility requirements have been satisfied.
Governmental Fund Financial Statements. Governmental funds are reported using the
current financial resources measurement focus and the modified accrual basis of
accounting. Under this method, revenues are recognized when measurable and available.
The Council considers revenues to be available if they are collected within 60 days of
year-end. Expenditures are recorded when the related fund liability is incurred, except for
principal and interest on general long-term debt, claims and judgments, and compensated
absences, which are recognized as expenditures to the extent they have matured. General
capital asset acquisitions are reported as expenditures in governmental funds.
When both restricted and unrestricted resources are available for use, it is the Council’s
policy to use restricted resources first, then unrestricted as needed.
Fund Balance
The Council follows GASB Statement No. 54, Fund Balance Reporting and Governmental
Fund Type Definitions. This Statement provides more clearly defined fund balance
categories to make the nature and extent of the constraints placed on the government’s fund
balance more transparent. The following classifications describe the relative strength of the
spending constraints:
Nonspendable fund balance — includes amounts that cannot be spent because they
are either (a) not in spendable form or (b) legally or contractually required to be
maintained intact.
Restricted fund balance — includes amounts restricted by external sources or by
constitutional provision or by enabling legislation.
Committed fund balance — Committed fund balances are amounts that can only be
used for specific purposes as a result of constraints imposed by formal action of the
Council’s highest level of decision-making authority, which is a resolution. Committed
amounts cannot be used for any other purpose unless the Council removes those
constraints by taking the same type of action.
- 19 -
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Assigned fund balance — Assigned fund balances are amounts that are constrained
by the Council’s intent to be used for specific purposes, but are neither restricted nor
committed. Intent is expressed by (a) the Council or (b) a body or official to which the
Council has delegated the Council to assign amounts to be used for specific
purposes.
Unassigned fund balance — includes amounts that have not been assigned,
committed, or restricted within the General Fund.
The Council’s policy is to expend resources in the following order: restricted, committed,
assigned, and unassigned.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Council considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or
less to be cash equivalents.
Investments
Investments are stated at fair value.
Receivables
All receivables are reported at their gross value and, where appropriate, are reduced by the
estimated portion that is expected to be uncollectible. Management considers all accounts to
be collectible and, accordingly, no allowance has been provided.
Capital Assets
All purchased capital assets are recorded at cost where historical records are available and
at estimated cost where no historical records exist and are reported in the government-wide
financial statements. Donated fixed assets are valued at their estimated fair value on the
date received. Generally, capital assets costing more than $500 and having a useful life of
more than one year are capitalized. The costs of normal maintenance and repairs that do
not add to the value of the asset or materially extend asset lives are not capitalized.
The estimated useful lives for the major classes of depreciable fixed assets, using primarily
the straight-line method of depreciation, are as follows:
Office equipment
Other equipment
Software
Building
Improvements
3 – 5 years
5 – 7 years
5 years
40 years
20 years
- 20 -
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
Compensated Absences
Council employees may accumulate earned annual leave benefits (compensated absences)
at various rates within limits specified in the personnel manual. This liability reflects amounts
attributable to employee services already rendered, cumulative, probable for payment, and
reasonably estimated. At their option, employees may receive payment for accrued annual
leave for hours in excess of 160. This payout option is allowed a maximum of twice a year.
No liability is recorded for non-vesting, accumulated sick pay benefits. The compensated
absences liability is determined based on current rates of pay.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Budgetary Data
An annual budget is adopted for the General Fund by the Council by the July meeting
preceding the fiscal year, using the accrual basis of accounting. All annual appropriations
lapse at the fiscal year end. Mid-year and year-end amendments are made to the budget as
necessary. The budget is prepared and controlled at the project activity level. The fund is
the legal level of control.
NOTE 2 – CASH ON DEPOSIT
At September 30, 2014, the Council's cash on deposit in its bank accounts was placed on
deposit with financial institutions in the form of demand deposit accounts, time deposit accounts,
and certificates of deposit, and is defined as public deposits. The Council's public deposits are
held in qualified public depositories pursuant to Florida Statues, Chapter 280, "Florida Security
of Public Deposits Act", and are covered by federal depository insurance and, for the amount in
excess of such federal depository insurance, by the Act. Under the Act, all qualified public
depositories are required to pledge eligible collateral having a market value equal to or greater
than the average daily or monthly balance of all public deposits, times the depository's collateral
pledging level.
The pledging level may range from 50% to 125% depending upon the depository's financial
condition and establishment period. The Public Deposit Security Trust Fund has a procedure to
allocate and recover losses in the event of a default or insolvency. When public deposits are
made in accordance with Chapter 280, no public depositor shall be liable for any loss thereof.
Any losses to public depositors are covered by applicable deposit insurance, sale of securities
pledged as collateral and, if necessary, assessments against other qualified public depositories
of the same type as the depository in default.
- 21 -
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 3 – INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT PRACTICES
The Council is authorized to invest in certificates of deposit, money market certificates, and
obligations of the U.S. Treasury, its agencies and instrumentalities, repurchase agreements
collateralized by U.S. securities, the Florida Counties Investment Trust, and the Local
Government Surplus Funds Trust Fund. No derivative or similar investment transactions were
used, held, or written by the Council during the fiscal year. As of September 30, 2014, the
Council had investments with the Florida Local Government Investment Trust of $16,312. The
carrying value equals the fair value at September 30, 2014. The Trust is rated AAAf by Standard
and Poors and has an average maturity of 1.82 years.
NOTE 4 – CAPITAL ASSETS
Activity for the Council’s capital assets is summarized below:
Capital assets not being depreciated:
Land
Balance
October 1,
2013
Additions
Balance
September 30,
Deletions
2014
$
$
$
Capital assets being depreciated:
Office furniture
Office equipment
Building
Improvements
271,910
-
-
$
271,910
8,716
736,081
1,928,090
948,286
27,091
-
43,450
-
8,716
719,722
1,928,090
948,286
Total capital assets being depreciated
3,621,173
27,091
43,450
3,604,814
Accumulated depreciation
1,546,557
148,607
43,450
1,651,714
Net capital assets being depreciated
2,074,616
(121,516)
-
1,953,100
-
$ 2,225,010
Net capital assets
$ 2,346,526
$(121,516) $
Depreciation expense for the year ended September 30, 2014 totaled $148,607.
NOTE 5 – UNEARNED REVENUE
The amount recorded as unearned revenue relates to projects for which funding was received
prior to the performance of the service. The amounts will be recognized as revenue when the
related service is performed.
- 22 -
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 6 – LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
Long-term obligation activity for the year ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:
Note Payable
Compensated Absences
Balance
October 1,
2013
$ 1,578,001
59,059
Total
$
1,637,060
Additions
$
56,024
Deletions
$
81,666
57,891
$
56,024
$
139,557
Balance
September 30,
2014
$
1,496,335
57,192
$
1,553,527
Due
Within
One
Year
$
84,782
57,192
$ 141,974
Note Payable
Note payable at September 30, 2014, consists of:
$1,960,000 note dated June 3, 2008, payable in 120 monthly
installments of $11,621 including interest at 3.75% until June 3, 2018,
at which time the Council will make a balloon payment in the amount
of $1,169,316. Pledged revenues collateralize this loan.
$
1,496,335
The aggregate amounts of principal and interest payments due in each of the years
subsequent to September 30, 2014 are:
Fiscal Year Ended
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
Principal
84,782
88,017
91,381
1,232,155
$ 1,496,335
$
- 23 -
Interest
54,665
51,430
48,066
33,772
$
187,933
$
$
$
Total
139,447
139,447
139,447
1,265,927
1,684,268
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 7 – COST ALLOCATION
The following is a summary of significant cost allocation policies and results used in the
preparation of the financial statements.
Cost allocation operates in accordance with an Indirect Cost Proposal (the Proposal) developed
annually. Although the Council receives direct federal funding, it does not rise to the dollar
amount defining a "Cognizant Agency"; therefore, under the guidelines established by OMB
Circular A-87, approval of the Indirect Cost Proposal and Rate is not mandated. The Proposal
identifies shared costs and the financial bases for cost sharing. It also identifies various
non-financial bases for allocating certain joint or common costs as direct costs. The concepts in
the Proposal are utilized in the accounting system and produced the following actual results
shown below for the fiscal year.
Leave benefits consist of accrued annual leave and other types of leave granted (i.e., sick,
holiday, and administrative leave). Leave costs are accumulated in an organizational leave pool
and distributed to activities based on year-to-date regular time salary costs. This results in all
activities bearing an equitable share of leave costs and diminishes the circumstantial effects of
timing associated with leave usage.
Actual leave costs and the leave rate percentage for the year ended September 30, 2014, are
shown below:
Annual leave taken
Sick leave taken
Holiday leave granted
Personal leave taken
Administrative leave granted
Net change in accrued leave liability
$
57,891
27,343
41,071
3,867
1,938
(1,867)
Total leave costs
$ 130,243
Leave benefit costs
$ 130,243
In-service salaries
$ 783,971
Actual leave rates by employee classification (which reflect leave eligibility) are developed and
applied to the year-to-date base of regular time salaries in each project to determine its share of
leave costs. In the aggregate, $130,243, accounting for 16.61% of in-service salaries, was
charged among all programs operated during the fiscal year. Separate classifications are
necessary because leave benefit eligibility differs among employees.
Employee fringe benefit costs are accumulated in an organization pool as they are incurred.
Fringe benefit costs are prorated by employee's proportionate share of salaries to total year-to
date organizational salaries. The classification of costs conforms to the organization's Proposal
for the year in which the final rate of 35.68% was computed. The fringe benefit actual cost and
final rates for the year ended September 30, 2014, as shown on the following page:
- 24 -
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 7 – COST ALLOCATION (CONTINUED)
FICA
FRS
Health insurance
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Workers compensation
Unemployment compensation
$
65,842
90,513
130,868
1,059
5,173
2,381
30,382
Total fringe benefit costs
$
326,218
Total salaries
$
914,214
Total rate
35.68%
The final rate was applied to the year-to-date salaries base in each project to determine its
share of fringe benefit costs. In the aggregate, $326,218 was charged among all programs
operated during the fiscal year. The use of the pool and year-to-date financial activity results in
an equitable distribution among all activities regardless of individual contract periods or monthly
expenditure levels.
Common costs consist of occupancy and other facility costs that support all programs, including
central management and administration functions. Common costs are allocated among
programs and the indirect cost pool on the basis of in-service hours. A portion of common costs
is thereby allocated to indirect costs representing its share of common costs. The classification
of common costs conforms to the organization's Proposal for the year in which a $14.26 per
hour common cost rate was used for budgeting purposes.
Common costs were accumulated in an organizational pool and distributed to
activities/programs based on in-service hours in conformity with the organization's Proposal.
Actual common costs and the final rate for the year ended September 30, 2014 are as follows:
Common cost rate (final)
$
12.54
Actual year-to-date common costs
$
314,090
Base (hours)
25,048
- 25 -
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 7 – COST ALLOCATION (CONTINUED)
The final rate was applied to the year-to-date base in each project to determine its share of
common costs. In the aggregate, actual costs of $314,090 were charged among all programs
operated during the fiscal year.
Indirect costs consist of salaries and fringe benefits of central organization personnel who
perform management and administrative functions necessary and beneficial to all activities,
non-salary support costs related to central management and administration functions, and a
share of the organization's common costs. These categories of costs are developed individually
and then are combined to compute a single rate. The classification of costs conforms to the
organization's Indirect Cost Proposal for the year in which a $20.98 per hour Provisional Indirect
Cost Rate was used for budgeting purposes.
Indirect costs were accumulated in an organizational pool and distributed to activities/programs
based on in-service hours in conformity with the organization's Indirect Cost Proposal. Actual
indirect costs and the final rate for the year ended September 30, 2014 are as follows:
Indirect cost rate (final)
$
Actual year-to-date indirect costs
$ 427,010
Base (hours)
22.44
19,028
The final rate was applied to the year-to-date base in each project to determine its share of
indirect costs. In the aggregate, actual costs of $427,010 were charged among all programs
operated during the fiscal year. The use of year-to-date financial information applies costs
equitably regardless of individual contract periods or monthly expenditure levels.
Financial Report projects completed during the fiscal year may have reported interim costs to
grantor agencies pending the determination of final costs at September 30, 2014. Interim
reports may show higher or lower allocated costs which reflect changing rates after project
termination. Final costs for completed projects can only be determined at the end of the
organization's fiscal year.
NOTE 8 – RETIREMENT PLAN
Plan Description
The Council contributes to the Florida Retirement System (FRS), a cost-sharing, multipleemployer public employee retirement system (PEERS) available to governmental units
within the State. In accordance with Florida laws, the Council participates in the FRS that
presently covers all qualified Council employees. The FRS was created by the Florida
Legislature and is administered by the State of Florida. The FRS provides retirement and
- 26 -
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 8 – RETIREMENT PLAN (CONTINUED)
disability benefits. Annual cost - of - living adjustments and death benefits are provided to
members and beneficiaries. The Florida Division of Retirement issues a publicly available
financial report that includes financial statements and required supplementary information
for FRS. That report may be obtained by writing the Florida Division of Retirement, P.O. Box
9000, Tallahassee, Florida 32315.
Funding Policy
The Council is required to contribute a fixed portion of their covered payroll as provided in
various acts of the Florida Legislature. The required contribution rate for regular class
employees was 6.95% from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 and it was 7.37% from July 1,
2014 to September 30, 2014. The required contribution rate for the senior management was
18.31% from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 and it was 21.14% from July 1, 2014 to
September 30, 2014. Three employees of the Council are enrolled in the Deferred
Retirement Option Program (DROP), and the required contribution rate was 12.84% from
July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 and 12.28% from July 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014.
Effective July 1, 2011, covered employees are now required to make 3% salary
contributions to the Florida Retirement System. The Council's contributions to Florida
Retirement System for the years ended September 30, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $90,513,
$64,500, and $51,821, respectively, equal to the required contributions for each year.
NOTE 9 – LITIGATION, CONTINGENCIES, AND COMMITMENTS
The Council participates in various federal and state assisted grant programs that are subject to
review and audit by the grantor agencies. Entitlement to these resources is generally conditional
upon compliance with the terms and conditions of grant agreements and applicable federal and
state regulations, including the expenditure of resources for allowable purposes. Any
disallowance resulting from a federal or state audit may become a liability of the Council.
The Council is required to comply with various federal and state regulations issued by the U.S.
Office of Management and Budget if such agency or department is a recipient of federal and
state grants, contracts, or their sponsored agreements. Failure to comply may result in
questions concerning the allocability of related direct and indirect charges pursuant to such
agreements. It is believed that the ultimate disallowance pertaining to these regulations, if any,
will be immaterial to the overall financial condition of the Council.
- 27 -
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE 10 – LEASES
The Council leases office space to multiple tenants within its building with the last lease
terminating in August 2017. Lease payments are due monthly, future minimum lease payments
to be received as of September 30, 2014, are as follows:
Minimum
Lease Payments
Receivable
$
26,578
18,015
16,665
$
61,258
Year Ending
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Total
NOTE 11 – RISK MANAGEMENT
The Council is exposed to various risks of loss related to torts; theft of, damage to, and
destruction of assets; errors and omissions; injuries to employees; and natural disasters for
which the Council purchases commercial insurance. There have been no settlements in excess
of insurance coverage in the last three years.
NOTE 12 – FUTURE ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board has issued statements that will become
effective in 2015. The statements address:


Accounting and financial reporting for pensions; and
Mergers, acquisitions and transfers of operations.
The Council is currently evaluating the effects that these statements will have on its 2015
financial statements.
NOTE 13 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent events were evaluated through January 26, 2015, which is the date the financial
statements were available to be issued.
- 28 -
Required Supplementary Information
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances Budget and Actual
Budgetary Basis
Year ended September 30, 2014
Budgeted Amounts
Original
Final
Revenues
County assessments
Federal grants
State grants
Local government and DRI fees
North Florida Procurement
Regional Leadership Academy
Regional Community Institute
Tenant revenue
Other
$
Actual
623,091 $ 623,091
772,700
772,700
622,842
622,842
245,000
245,000
14,000
14,000
3,600
3,600
1,500
1,500
33,177
33,177
110,000
110,000
$
623,091 $
406,754
593,065
218,061
11,859
2,350
698
34,492
45,185
Variance
with fina
budget
(365,946)
(29,777)
(26,939)
(2,141)
(1,250)
(802)
1,315
(64,815)
Total revenues
2,425,910
2,425,910
1,935,555
(490,355)
Expenditures
Personnel service
Direct charges
Common/indirect
1,292,191
749,651
384,068
1,292,191
749,651
384,068
1,256,297
521,004
288,091
35,894
228,647
95,977
Total expenditures
2,425,910
2,425,910
2,065,392
360,518
Excess of revenues over (under) expenditures
-
-
(129,837)
Other financing sources (uses
Interest income
Interest expense
-
-
(57,781)
355
(57,781)
-
-
(57,426)
(57,426)
Net change in fund balances
-
-
(187,263)
(187,263)
Fund balances, beginning of yea
-
-
2,093,874
-
1,906,611 $ 1,906,611
Total other financing sources (uses)
Fund balances, end of year
$
Basis Difference - to reconcile accrual basis to
modified accrual basis
-
$
355
(671,483)
Fund balance, end of year, GAAP basis
$ 1,235,128
- 29 -
(129,837)
2,093,874
Additional Report
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC
1301 Plantation Island Drive
Suite 205A
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
(904) 471-3445
(904) 471-3825 (fax)
www.cricpa.com
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
AND ON COMPLIANCE AND OTHER MATTERS BASED ON AN AUDIT OF FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOVERNMENT AUDITING STANDARDS
Board of Directors
Northeast Florida Regional Council
We have audited, in accordance with the auditing standards generally accepted in the United
States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government
Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, the financial
statements of the governmental activities and the major fund of Northeast Florida Regional
Council (the “Council”), as of and for the year ended September 30, 2014, and the related notes
to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the Council’s basic financial statements,
and have issued our report thereon dated January 26, 2015.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements, we considered the Council’s
internal control over financial reporting (internal control) to determine the audit procedures that
are appropriate in the circumstances for the purpose of expressing our opinions on the financial
statements, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Council’s internal control. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Council’s internal control.
A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow
management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to
prevent, or detect and correct, misstatements on a timely basis. A material weakness is a
deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control, such that there is a reasonable
possibility that a material misstatement of the entity’s financial statements will not be prevented,
or detected and corrected on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a
combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe than a material weakness, yet
important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance.
Our consideration of internal control was for the limited purpose described in the first paragraph
of this section and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control that might be
material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. Given these limitations, during our audit we did
not identify any deficiencies in internal control that we consider to be material weaknesses.
However, material weaknesses may exist that have not been identified.
- 30 -
Compliance and Other Matters
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the Council’s financial statements are
free from material misstatement, we performed tests of its compliance with certain provisions of
laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements, noncompliance with which could have a
direct and material effect on the determination of financial statement amounts. However,
providing an opinion on compliance with those provisions was not an objective of our audit, and
accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. The results of our tests disclosed no instances
of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing
Standards.
Purpose of this Report
The purpose of this report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control and
compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of
the entity’s internal control or on compliance. This report is an integral part of an audit
performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the entity’s
internal control and compliance. Accordingly, this communication is not suitable for any other
purpose.
St. Augustine, Florida
January 26, 2015
- 31 -
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC
1301 Plantation Island Drive
Suite 205A
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
January 26, 2015
(904) 471-3445
(904) 471-3825 (fax)
www.cricpa.com
To the Board of Directors
Northeast Florida Regional Council
We have audited the financial statements of Northeast Florida Regional Council (the “Council”) for the year ended
September 30, 2014. Professional standards require that we provide you with information about our
responsibilities under generally accepted auditing standards and Government Auditing Standards, as well as
certain information related to the planned scope and timing of our audit. We have communicated such information
in our letter to you dated July 9, 2014. Professional standards also require that we communicate to you the
following information related to our audit.
Significant Audit Findings
Qualitative Aspects of Accounting Practices
Management is responsible for the selection and use of appropriate accounting policies. The significant
accounting policies used by the Council are described in Note 1 to the financial statements. The Council
implemented Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 65, Items Previously Reported as Assets
and Liabilities, during 2014. The effect of this implementation was the elimination of Loan Closing Costs of $3,750
that previously had been capitalized. We noted no transactions entered into by the Council during the year for
which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or consensus. All significant transactions have been recognized in
the financial statements in the proper period.
Accounting estimates are an integral part of the financial statements prepared by management and are based on
management’s knowledge and experience about past and current events and assumptions about future events.
Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to the financial statements
and because of the possibility that future events affecting them may differ significantly from those expected.
There are no particularly sensitive estimates affecting the financial statements.
Certain financial statement disclosures are particularly sensitive because of their significance to financial
statement users. There are no such sensitive financial statement disclosures.
The financial statement disclosures are neutral, consistent, and clear.
Difficulties Encountered in Performing the Audit
We encountered no significant difficulties in dealing with management in performing and completing our audit.
Corrected and Uncorrected Misstatements
Professional standards require us to accumulate all known and likely misstatements identified during the audit,
other than those that are clearly trivial, and communicate them to the appropriate level of management. None of
the misstatements, detected as a result of audit procedures and corrected by management, were material, either
individually or in the aggregate, to each opinion unit’s financial statements taken as a whole.
Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement No.45, Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers
for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions, requires that the liability and disclosures for postemployment
benefits other than pensions (“OPEB”) be included in the financial statements. The Council obtained the services
of an actuary to determine the Council’s liability for the OPEB offered to the Council’s retirees due to their
participation in the Florida Retirement System. The actuary determined that the Council’s liability for OPEB was
immaterial to the financial statements. Consequently, no accrual or disclosures for the Council’s OPEB plan have
been included in the financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2014.
Disagreements with Management
For purposes of this letter, a disagreement with management is a financial accounting, reporting, or auditing
matter, whether or not resolved to our satisfaction, that could be significant to the financial statements or the
auditor’s report. We are pleased to report that no such disagreements arose during the course of our audit.
Board of Directors
Northeast Florida Regional Council
Page 2
Management Representations
We have requested certain representations from management that are included in the management
representation letter dated January 26, 2015.
Management Consultations with Other Independent Accountants
In some cases, management may decide to consult with other accountants about auditing and accounting matters,
similar to obtaining a “second opinion” on certain situations. If a consultation involves application of an accounting
principle to the Council’s financial statements or a determination of the type of auditor’s opinion that may be
expressed on those statements, our professional standards require the consulting accountant to check with us to
determine that the consultant has all the relevant facts. To our knowledge, there were no such consultations with
other accountants.
Other Audit Findings or Issues
We generally discuss a variety of matters, including the application of accounting principles and auditing
standards, with management each year prior to retention as the Council’s auditors. However, these discussions
occurred in the normal course of our professional relationship and our responses were not a condition to our
retention.
Other Matters
We applied certain limited procedures to the Schedule of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund
Balances – Budget and Actual – Budgetary Basis, which is required supplementary information (RSI) that
supplements the basic financial statements. Our procedures consisted of inquiries of management regarding the
methods of preparing the information and comparing the information for consistency with management’s
responses to our inquiries, the basic financial statements, and other knowledge we obtained during our audit of
the basic financial statements. We did not audit the RSI and do not express an opinion or provide any assurance
on the RSI.
Restriction on Use
This information is intended solely for the use of the Board of Directors and management of the Council and is not
intended to be, and should not be, used by anyone other than these specified parties.
CARR, RIGGS & INGRAM, LLC
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Agenda
Item
Tab 9
Tab 9
Tab 9
Tab 9
Tab 9
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 20, 2015
TO:
PERSONNEL, BUDGET AND FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE
FROM:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
RE:
OCCUPANCY COST ANALYSIS UPDATE
At the last Committee meeting I presented a memorandum (attached) outlining the cost associated
with occupancy of our building. The Committee directed me to continue to research this issue and
report back.
Sale of real property by Counties is governed by Section 125.35, Florida Statutes (attached). It is
currently unclear to me if the Council is required to follow the process set out in the Statute.
However, as we are a creature of county government, having been formed through Interlocal
Agreement by the seven counties in Northeast Florida, if the Council decides to sell the building, I
would recommend following the statutory process.
Given the realities of our funding situation and the market for attracting not-for-profit/governmental
tenants and referencing my earlier memorandum, I recommend the Committee recommend to the
Board to sell the building. Should that decision be made, I offer the following additional
recommendations:
1. Authorize the CEO to engage the services of a licensed commercial property appraiser to
obtain a current appraised value of the building.
2. Authorize the CEO to engage the services of a qualified attorney to advise on the process
through and including closing.
3. Authorize the CEO to engage the services of a qualified commercial real estate broker to
assist with the marketing of the building.
If you have any questions or need additional information please let me know.
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
NOVEMBER 24, 2014
TO:
PERSONNEL, BUDGET AND FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE
FROM:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
RE:
OCCUPANCY COST ANALYSIS
As part of the on-going review of Council expenses we have examined our occupancy costs of the
Council owned building. As you know the Council purchased the 28,500 square foot building in
2001 for $1,960,000 or $69/square foot. Currently we have approximately 2,030 square feet under
lease that yields $33,000/year in rental income. Council staff occupies approximately 10,500
square feet of space (including some common space, the Board Room, a break room, and
mechanical/equipment/storage space).
Current occupancy costs of our building equal approximately $346,000 per year, net of tenant
revenue, for an effective lease equivalent rate of about $33/square foot.
A preliminary analysis of current space needs indicate that a maximum of 8,000 square feet will be
more than adequate to meet our needs. Assuming a leasing scenario with a high rate of $18/square
foot full service lease, in the general area of our current location, equates to a lease cost of
$144,000/year. Under this scenario the Council would save approximately $200,000/year.
Although we do not have a current appraisal on the building, the data we do have are:
Purchase Price in 2001
Reconstruction Cost Valuation 2013 (for Insurance)
Duval County Property Appraiser’s Market Value 2014
Balance due on Note (3.75%, mature 2018)
$1,960,000 ($69/s.f.)
$3,514,860 ($123/s.f.)
$2,476,000 ($87/s.f.)
$1,489,337
Recommendation
Authorize the CEO to further investigate ways to save on occupancy costs and report back.
125.35 County authorized to sell real and personal property and to lease real property.— (1)(a) The board of county commissioners is expressly authorized to sell and convey any real or personal property, and to lease real property, belonging to the county, whenever the board determines that it is to the best interest of the county to do so, to the highest and best bidder for the particular use the board deems to be the highest and best, for such length of term and such conditions as the governing body may in its discretion determine. (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), under terms and conditions negotiated by the board, the board of county commissioners may: 1. Negotiate the lease of an airport or seaport facility; 2. Modify or extend an existing lease of real property for an additional term not to exceed 25 years, where the improved value of the lease has an appraised value in excess of $20 million; or 3. Lease a professional sports franchise facility financed by revenues received pursuant to s. 125.0104 or s. 212.20 which may include commercial development that is ancillary to the sports facility if the ancillary development property is part of or contiguous to the professional sports franchise facility. The board’s authority to lease the above described ancillary commercial development in conjunction with a professional sports franchise facility lease applies only if at the time the board leases the ancillary commercial development, the professional sports franchise facility lease has been in effect for at least 10 years and such lease has at least an additional 10 years remaining in the lease term. (c) No sale of any real property shall be made unless notice thereof is published once a week for at least 2 weeks in some newspaper of general circulation published in the county, calling for bids for the purchase of the real estate so advertised to be sold. In the case of a sale, the bid of the highest bidder complying with the terms and conditions set forth in such notice shall be accepted, unless the board of county commissioners rejects all bids because they are too low. The board of county commissioners may require a deposit to be made or a surety bond to be given, in such form or in such amount as the board determines, with each bid submitted. (2) When the board of county commissioners finds that a parcel of real property is of insufficient size and shape to be issued a building permit for any type of development to be constructed on the property or when the board of county commissioners finds that the value of a parcel of real property is $15,000 or less, as determined by a fee appraiser designated by the board or as determined by the county property appraiser, and when, due to the size, shape, location, and value of the parcel, it is determined by the board that the parcel is of use only to one or more adjacent property owners, the board may effect a private sale of the parcel. The board may, after sending notice of its intended action to owners of adjacent property by certified mail, effect a sale and conveyance of the parcel at private sale without receiving bids or publishing notice; however, if, within 10 working days after receiving such mailed notice, two or more owners of adjacent property notify the board of their desire to purchase the parcel, the board shall accept sealed bids for the parcel from such property owners and may convey such parcel to the highest bidder or may reject all offers. (3) As an alternative to subsections (1) and (2), the board of county commissioners may by ordinance prescribe disposition standards and procedures to be used by the county in selling and conveying any real or personal property and in leasing real property owned by the county. The standards and procedures must provide at a minimum for: (a) Establishment of competition and qualification standards upon which disposition will be determined. (b) Reasonable public notice of the intent to consider disposition of county property and the availability of copies of the standards. Reasonableness of the notice is to be determined by the efficacy and efficiency of the means of communication used. (c) Identification of the form and manner by which an interested person may acquire county property. (d) Types of negotiation procedures applicable to the selection of a person to whom county properties may be disposed. (e) The manner in which interested persons will be notified of the board’s intent to consider final action at a regular meeting of the board on the disposition of a property and the time and manner for making objections. (f) Adherence in the disposition of real property to the governing comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances. History.—s. 1, ch. 23829, 1947; s. 1, ch. 70‐388; s. 1, ch. 77‐475; s. 1, ch. 81‐87; s. 1, ch. 83‐100; s. 1, ch. 86‐105; s. 2, ch. 89‐103; s. 2, ch. 95‐416; ss. 1, 2, ch. 99‐190; s. 1, ch. 2001‐252; ss. 56, 79, ch. 2002‐402; s. 8, ch. 2013‐213. Agenda
Item
Tab 10
Tab 10
Tab 10
Tab 10
Tab 10
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
DECEMBER 22, 2014
TO:
KENNY EUBANKS, PRESIDENT
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THRU:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FROM:
EDWARD LEHMAN, PLANNER
RE:
ST. JOHNS COUNTY TRANSMITTED AMENDMENT 15-1ESR
Attached is Review Form 01 for the St. Johns County Transmitted Amendment 15-1ESR. The
transmittal includes a map amendment to the Future Land Use Map for five acres, and a text
policy designating 1,624 acres as an Urban Service Area. The proposed map amendment and
text amendment are summarized in the attached Review Form 01.
Recommendation
Staff respectfully recommends the Northeast Florida Regional Council President approve
the attached staff report of St. Johns County Transmitted Amendment 15-1ESR for
transmittal to St. Johns County.
1
FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW FORM 01
Regional Planning Council: Northeast Florida Regional Council
Regional Planning Council Item No. St. Johns County Transmitted Amendment 15-1ESR
Date Mailed to Local Government and State Land Planning Agency: January 2, 2015
Local Government Item No: COMPAMD 2014-07 Durbin Creek National
Pursuant to Section 163.3184, Florida Statutes, Council review of proposed amendments to local
government comprehensive plans is limited to adverse effects on regional resources and facilities
identified in the strategic regional policy plan and extra-jurisdictional impacts that would be
inconsistent with the comprehensive plan of any affected local government within the region. A
written report containing an evaluation of these impacts, pursuant to Section 163.3184, Florida
Statutes, is to be provided to the local government and the state land planning agency within 30
calendar days of receipt of the amendment.
DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT
The proposed transmittal package consists of a land use change on approximately five acres of land from
Rural/Silviculture to Intensive Commercial, and designates 1,624 acres (which includes this 5 acre parcel)
as an urban service area pursuant to Section 163.3164(50), Florida Statutes. In addition, the amendment
provides a text policy establishing the development rights for the property and includes an update to the
Capital Improvements Schedule. In 2000, 1,254 acres of within this parcel were designated as Intensive
Commercial, and 265 acres were designated as conservation as part of a land use amendment that
transferred densities from land that was purchased by the Water Management District.
The map below identifies the subject property. The property is located on the south side of Racetrack
Road and is bisected by both I-95 and the proposed right-of-way for the S.R. 9B extension. Section
163.3164(50), Florida Statutes, defines an Urban Service Boundary as “areas identified in the
comprehensive plan where public facilities and services, including, but not limited to, central water and
sewer capacity and roads, are already in place or are identified in the capital improvements element.” The
primary effect of designating this site as an Urban Service Area is that development within the boundary
will be exempt from DRI review. Section 38.06(29)(c), F.S., states that Urban Service Areas as defined
in Section 163.3164, F.S. are exempt from the DRI process.
NEFRC staff notes that the County anticipated this area for intensive growth when designating a majority
of the property (1,254 of the 1,624 acres) as Intensive Commercial pursuant to the 2000 Comprehensive
FLUM amendment. As such, there will be a minimal increase of potential development rights as a result
of this amendment (only five acres are being changed to a more intensive land use.) However, staff also
notes that the land use change that was adopted by the County and reviewed by the NEFRC to make the
1,254 acres Intensive Commercial was done recognizing that future development could possibly be
required to undergo DRI review. The County recognizes that a transportation mitigation plan is necessary
as part of this amendment to address the potential impacts from the previous land use change and support
the designation of this property as an Urban Service Area. The County has included a draft Development
Agreement that will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners concurrent with this
amendment. The agreement contains specific provisions including:
•
Mitigation of transportation impacts on County roads, and to parks and recreation facilities;
2
•
•
•
The donation of S.R. 9B right-of-way to the FDOT;
The replacement of transportation impact fees within the Urban Service Area with a special Road
Capacity user fee; and
The provision of future reimbursement of certain roadway improvement costs from the special
road capacity user fees and tax increment financing.
The purpose of the development agreement is to establish the framework by which regional impacts will
be mitigated. The transportation study and mitigation plan has been developed consistent with DRI
methodology and appears to meet the DRI transportation rule for analyzing and mitigation significant and
adverse regional impacts. Staff believes that the development agreement adequately provides for DRItype mitigation of the regional transportation impacts.
The Comprehensive Plan amendment includes a new policy that establishes the Urban Service Area for
the 1,624 acres. Policy A.1.11.1(m)(8)(k) states that the portion of the Durbin Creek National Property
designated Intensive Commercial shall be developed with a mixture of Commercial/Shopping Center,
Office, Hotel, and Residential uses. The policy also restates the previous amendment that the portion of
the property that is designated Rural/Silviculture will be maintained as conservation once the timber
rights on the property expire in 2025. The policy also states that the property is subject to the
Development Agreement that sets forth details related to development of the property and related
transportation mitigation. In their review of this amendment, the St. Johns County Planning and Zoning
Agency requested that the Development Agreement include mitigation for school impacts using the same
standards and methodology applied to DRI projects.
Staff agrees with the P&Z agency for St. Johns County that all potential infrastructure impacts,
including school impacts, should be mitigated using the same standards and methodology applied to DRI
projects.
The Development Agreement establishes a phasing schedule for development and coordinates
development with proposed roadway improvements. The roadway improvements identified in the
Development Agreement are the conveyance of right-of-way for S.R. 9B improvements to FDOT,
construction of the East Connector from the S.R. 9B interchange to Racetrack Road, improvements of
Racetrack Road to a four-lane divided arterial from Bartram Park Blvd. to Bartram Springs Parkway, and
improvement of Racetrack Road to a six-lane divided arterial from Bartram Park Blvd. to U.S. 1. The
total roadway improvement cost for all phases is $48,553,774.
The Development Agreement is the key to whether the County has met the intent of the designation of this
area as an Urban Service Area. Staff notes that the Development Agreement has not yet been executed
and is subject to change. The Agreement should be adopted simultaneous with adoption of the
Comprehensive Plan Amendment. As the Agreement is proposed, staff believes the Agreement adequately
addresses regional impacts and provides support for the designation of this property as an Urban Service
Area.
ADVERSE EFFECTS TO SIGNIFICANT REGIONAL RESOURCES AND
FACILITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE STRATEGIC REGIONAL POLICY PLAN
There will be no adverse impacts to significant regional resources and facilities identified in the
Strategic Regional Policy Plan by the change in land use for the five acres being changed to
Intensive Commercial. There will be significant impacts from the amount of development
proposed in the Developer Agreement that addresses the property being designated as Urban
Service Area. Those regional facilities determined to be adversely affected include, but are not
1.
3
limited to, segments of C.R. 210, Racetrack Road, I-295 and I-95. However, the Developer
Agreement that will be part of the amendment provides for a mitigation plan to adequately
address these impacts to regional roadway facilities.
The establishment of an Urban Service Area in this part of the region, where the density and
intensity of the land use is already designated in the FLUM of St. Johns County and the
commitment is made by the County to support the dense land use with adequate transportation
improvements, is supported by several policies in the SRPP, including the following:
•
•
Policy 19 of the Transportation Component states, in part that “The Region supports
strategies identified by the Regional Community Institute as they worked on First
Coast Vision, including:….incentives for dense and/or mixed use development.”
Policy 29 of the Transportation Component states “NEFRC considers impacts to
resources of regional significance and extra jurisdictional impacts as it reviews
consistency with the SRPP. Local governments and proposers of projects should
include best available data gathered using professionally acceptable methodology in
support of their proposals, sufficient to determine impacts. Where mitigation is
proposed, using strategies outlined in local government policies or plans, the SRPP
or a combination is encouraged.”
The Urban Service Area is the type of dense, mixed use development contemplated in the
SRPP. In addition, mitigation is proposed consistent with DRI methodology and will help in
the construction of the S.R. 9B corridor, which is a regional transportation corridor that
offers a parallel alternative to I-95 for commuters between St. Johns County and the City of
Jacksonville.
2.
EXTRAJURISDICTIONAL IMPACTS INCONSISTENT WITH THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLANS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITHIN THE REGION
There are extra-jurisdictional transportation impacts to the City of Jacksonville, including
segments of I-95 and I-295. The mitigation plan in the proposed developer’s Agreement
addresses these impacts by including significant and adverse segments in Jacksonville in
calculation of the transportation proportionate share. While the entire mitigation package is for
roadways within St. Johns County, this methodology is consistent with DRI methodology and is
acceptable. In addition, the donation of right-of-way for S.R. 9B will facilitate construction of a
roadway that will offer relief to I-95 and other regional roadways in the City of Jacksonville.
Request a copy of the adopted version of the amendment?
Yes ___X___
No ______
Recommendation
Staff respectfully recommends that the Council President approve the attached staff
4
review report and transmit the review of St. Johns County Transmitted Amendment
15-1ESR to St. Johns County.
5
6
7
8
Agenda
Item
Tab 11
Tab 11
Tab 11
Tab 11
Tab 11
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
DECEMBER 22, 2014
TO:
KENNY EUBANKS, PRESIDENT
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THRU:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FROM:
LINDSAY HAGA, AICP, PLANNING PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
RE:
ST. JOHNS COUNTY OXFORD ESTATES, SJC 15-2ESR
Attached is Review Form 01 for a Future Land Use Map amendment associated with SJC
15-2ESR Oxford Estates. This amendment changes the future land use designation for
89.11 acres from Rural Silvaculture (1 u/5 net acres) to Residential B (2 units/1 net acre).
The property is an expansion of a newly development residential community within the
existing development area boundary located in the Northwest Sector of St. Johns County.
Recommendation
Staff respectfully recommends that the Northeast Florida Regional Council
President approve the attached staff review report and transmit the review
of SJC 15-2ESR to St. Johns County.
FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW FORM 01
Regional Planning Council: Northeast Florida Regional Council
Regional Planning Council Item No. St. Johns County Transmitted Amendment 15-2ESR
Date Mailed to Local Government and State Land Planning Agency: January 9, 2014
Local Government Item No: COMPAMD 2014-03 Oxford Estates
Pursuant to Section 163.3184, Florida Statutes, Council review of proposed amendments to local
government comprehensive plans is limited to adverse effects on regional resources and facilities
identified in the strategic regional policy plan and extra-jurisdictional impacts that would be
inconsistent with the comprehensive plan of any affected local government within the region. A
written report containing an evaluation of these impacts, pursuant to Section 163.3184, Florida
Statutes, is to be provided to the local government and the state land planning agency within 30
calendar days of receipt of the amendment.
DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT
The proposed transmittal amendment modifies the future land use of 89.11 acres from Rural Silvacutlure
(1 dwelling unit/5 net acres under Planned Rural Development) to Residential B (2 dwelling units/net
acre). The property is located in the Northwest Sector of St. Johns County and is an extension of a newly
constructed residential community – Oxford Estates. The property contains approximately 13.31 acres of
wetlands. The impact analysis is based upon 160 residential units.
1
ADVERSE EFFECTS TO SIGNIFICANT REGIONAL RESOURCES AND
FACILITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE STRATEGIC REGIONAL POLICY PLAN
The proposed development will impact Regional Roadway Facilities: Longleaf Pine Parkway,
Roberts Road, and CR 210. It is anticipated that the County’s concurrency management
requirements for transportation should address impacts and overcome deficiencies. This is
consistent with SRPP Policy 22 – concurrency management is a local government issue.
1.
In addition to consistency with Policy 22, St. Johns County should require that the transportation
mitigation plan for the proposed project amendment include components of a safe multi-modal
network (Policy 24, 27). These features require roadway design to minimize conflicts between
motor vehicles and bicycles or pedestrians, resulting in safe travels regardless of the
transportation mode.
2.
EXTRAJURISDICTIONAL IMPACTS INCONSISTENT WITH THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLANS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITHIN THE REGION
No extra-jurisdictional impacts that would be inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan of an
affected local government were identified.
Request a copy of the adopted version of the amendment?
Yes ___X___
No ______
Recommendation
Staff respectfully recommends that the Council approve the attached staff review
report and transmit the review of St. Johns County Transmitted Amendment 152ESR to St. Johns County.
2
Agenda
Item
Tab 12
Tab 12
Tab 12
Tab 12
Tab 12
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
DECEMBER 22, 2014
TO:
KENNY EUBANKS, PRESIDENT
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THRU:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FROM:
LINDSAY HAGA, AICP, PLANNING PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
RE:
PALM COAST EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL AMENDMENTS, PC 15-1ESR
Attached is Review Form 01 for amendment associated with the City of Palm Coast’s
Evaluation and Appraisal Review of the adopted Comprehensive Plan. The amendments
include text and map changes.
Recommendation
Staff respectfully recommends that the Northeast Florida Regional Council
President approve the attached staff review report and transmit the review
of PC 15-1ESR to Palm Coast.
FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW FORM 01
Regional Planning Council: Northeast Florida Regional Council
Regional Planning Council Item No. Palm Coast Evaluation and Appraisal Review (EAR)
Amendments 15-1ESR
Date Mailed to Local Government and State Land Planning Agency: January 16, 2015
Local Government Item No: File Number 14-435 (version C)
Pursuant to Section 163.3184, Florida Statutes, Council review of proposed amendments to local
government comprehensive plans is limited to adverse effects on regional resources and facilities
identified in the strategic regional policy plan and extra-jurisdictional impacts that would be
inconsistent with the comprehensive plan of any affected local government within the region. A
written report containing an evaluation of these impacts, pursuant to Section 163.3184, Florida
Statutes, is to be provided to the local government and the state land planning agency within 30
calendar days of receipt of the amendment.
DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT
The Evaluation and Appraisal (EAR) of the City of Palm Coast Comprehensive Plan directed to a series
of text amendments updating policies and a modification to the Future Land Use Map to reflect the
Coastal High Hazard Areas as a layer on the map.
The text amendments update policies within the Future Land Use, Transportation, Public Recreation,
Infrastructure, Conservation & Coastal Management, Intergovernmental, Capital Improvements, and
Public Schools Elements of the Comprehensive Plan including the Glossary. Some amendments cover
one topic area, such as transportation, and repeat through elements.
In general, the Future Land Use Element amendments clarify that permitted uses within the Conservation
Land Use category include preservation areas designated within the Master Planned Development (PUD);
update references to the State Land Planning Agency as the Department of Economic Opportunity; add
two greenways and blueways to the corridor list; direct the City to pursue opportunities to create greater
links between wildlife corridors; identify constrained roadways (Palm Coast Parkway & Colbert Lane);
and update references to the Northeast Florida Regional Council.
The Transportation Element text amendments introduce proportionate fair share methodology as an
alternative to mitigate transportation impacts for DRI, rezoning and other land use development permits.
The Recreation and Open Space Element text amendments updates the inventory of existing parks and
facilities, incorporating park names, classifications, and status of being developed. The inventory is
grouped by City recreation facilities (955.05 total acres) and lands committed by DRI (235.35 total acres).
The policies have been updated to indicate priority park sites identified for improvements and land
acquisition.
Coastal Conservation Element amendments address the continuation of the city wide Stormwater Master
Plan, setting a pace of modeling two subdivision sections each year, refines the wind borne debris region,
and references the most current Regional Evacuation Study and clearance times.
The Capital Improvements Element is updated to cross reference the level of service as defined by the
Florida Interstate Highway System and Strategic Inter-modal System.
1
The Public Schools Facilities Element is modified to reference the annual adoption of the School Work
Plan instead of original adoption dates.
The Glossary includes new definitions and modifications to existing definitions.
The Infrastructure and Intergovernmental Element amendments include updated references to the DEO
and the NEFRC.
The map amendment to the Future Land Use Map now depicts the changes to the Coastal High Hazard
Area based upon the completion of the 2013 Regional Evacuation Study.
1.
ADVERSE EFFECTS TO SIGNIFICANT REGIONAL RESOURCES AND
FACILITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE STRATEGIC REGIONAL POLICY PLAN
The proposed development will not impact Regional Resources and/or Facilities as the changes are
consistent with the Strategic Regional Policy Plan.
2.
EXTRAJURISDICTIONAL IMPACTS INCONSISTENT WITH THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLANS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITHIN THE REGION
No extra-jurisdictional impacts that would be inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan of an affected
local government were identified. One specific policy within the Transportation Element, specifically
requires coordination with Flagler County regarding the constrained roadways within the City of Palm
Coast.
Request a copy of the adopted version of the amendment?
Yes ___X___
No ______
Recommendation
Staff respectfully recommends that the Council approve the attached staff review
report and transmit the review of the City of Palm Coast Transmitted Amendment
15-1ESR to Palm Coast.
2
Agenda
Item
Tab 13
Tab 13
Tab 13
Tab 13
Tab 13
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 2, 2015
TO:
KENNY EUBANKS, PRESIDENT
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THRU:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FROM:
ED LEHMAN, PLANNER
RE:
ST. JOHNS COUNTY STONE CREEK LANDING, SJC 14-8ESR
Attached is Review Form 01 for a Future Land Use Map amendment associated with SJC
14-8ESR Stone Creek Landing. This amendment changes the future land use designation
for 33.3 acres from Rural/Silviculture to Residential - B.
Recommendation
Staff respectfully recommends the Northeast Florida Regional Council President
find SJC Amendment 14-8ESR consistent with the Strategic Regional Policy
Plan.
FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW FORM 01
Regional Planning Council: Northeast Florida Regional Council
Regional Planning Council Item No. St. Johns County Adoption Amendment 14-8ESR
Date Mailed to Local Government and State Land Planning Agency: January 16, 2015
Local Government Item No: COMPAMD 2014-01 Stone Creek Landing
Pursuant to Section 163.3184, Florida Statutes, Council review of proposed amendments to local
government comprehensive plans is limited to adverse effects on regional resources and facilities
identified in the strategic regional policy plan and extra-jurisdictional impacts that would be
inconsistent with the comprehensive plan of any affected local government within the region. A
written report containing an evaluation of these impacts, pursuant to Section 163.3184, Florida
Statutes, is to be provided to the local government and the state land planning agency within 30
calendar days of receipt of the amendment.
DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT
The approved map amendment increases densities for 33.3 acres located on C.R. 210 west of St. Johns
Parkway in St. Johns County. The amendment changes the future land use from Rural/Silviculture to
Residential B.
The map below identifies the subject property and the approved land use category of Residential B. The
previous land use of Rural/Silvicuture allowed one unit per 100 acres, while Residential B allows up to 2
du/net acre. There are approximately 24 developable acres on the site, therefore, potential residential
development is 48 single family units. The subject property is located in a transitioning area between
existing development area boundary to the east and an Intensive Commercial node to the west. There are
large approved residential developments in the area with compatible densities.
1
ADVERSE EFFECTS TO SIGNIFICANT REGIONAL RESOURCES AND
FACILITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE STRATEGIC REGIONAL POLICY PLAN
There will be no adverse effects to Regional Resources or Facilities as a result of the proposed
text amendment.
1.
2.
EXTRAJURISDICTIONAL IMPACTS INCONSISTENT WITH THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLANS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITHIN THE REGION
No extra-jurisdictional impacts that would be inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan of an
affected local government were identified.
Request a copy of the adopted version of the amendment?
N/A
Recommendation:
Staff respectfully recommends that the Northeast Florida Regional Council President
find SJC 14-8ESR consistent with the Strategic Regional Policy Plan.
2
Agenda
Item
Tab 14
Tab 14
Tab 14
Tab 14
Tab 14
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 7, 2015
TO:
KENNY EUBANKS, PRESIDENT
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THRU:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FROM:
LINDSAY HAGA, AICP, PLANNING PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
RE:
TOWN OF MARINELAND EAR AMENDMENT 15-1ER
Attached is Review Form 01 for Text and Future Land Use Map amendments associated
with the Town of Marineland Evaluation and Appraisal Report. These amendments
reflect the results of the Evaluation and Appraisal of the existing Comprehensive Plan
including changes to address comments made during the transmittal review. Key
changes include policy amendments within nine elements of the plan, referencing newly
annexed islands, updating acreages, and assigning Future Land Use categories to the
properites.
Policy changes also include modifying development standards for
connectivity and lodging and improving beach access. The capital improvement schedule
has been update to reflect a series of planned improvements necessary to achieve the
goals and objectives for the comprehensive plan.
Recommendation
Staff respectfully recommends that subject to the inclusion of the corrected
data and map exhibits, the Northeast Florida Regional Council President
find 15-1ER Marineland consistent with the Strategic Regional Policy Plan.
FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW FORM 01
Regional Planning Council: Northeast Florida Regional Council
Regional Planning Council Item No. Marineland Evaluation and Appraisal Review (EAR)
Amendments 15-1ER
Date Mailed to Local Government and State Land Planning Agency: February 4, 2015
Local Government Item No: Ordinance No. 2014-01
Pursuant to Section 163.3184, Florida Statutes, Council review of proposed amendments to local
government comprehensive plans is limited to adverse effects on regional resources and facilities
identified in the strategic regional policy plan and extra-jurisdictional impacts that would be
inconsistent with the comprehensive plan of any affected local government within the region. A
written report containing an evaluation of these impacts, pursuant to Section 163.3184, Florida
Statutes, is to be provided to the local government and the state land planning agency within 30
calendar days of receipt of the amendment.
DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT
The adopted amendments reflect the results of the Evaluation and Appraisal of the existing
Comprehensive Plan including changes to address comments made during the transmittal review. Key
changes include policy amendments within nine elements of the plan, referencing newly annexed islands,
updating acreages, and assigning Future Land Use categories to the properties. Policy changes include
modifying development standards for connectivity and lodging and improving beach access. The capital
improvement schedule has been update to reflect a series of planned improvements necessary to achieve
the goals and objectives for the comprehensive plan.
ADVERSE EFFECTS TO SIGNIFICANT REGIONAL RESOURCES AND
FACILITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE STRATEGIC REGIONAL POLICY PLAN
The proposed development will not impact Regional Resources and/or Facilities due to a lack of
development within the prior planning horizon, no significant increases in density being proposed
now and the focus of the current amendments seek to refine development standards in the Town.
1.
A few discrepancies remain in the background material.
Infrastructure Element
1. For the wastewater treatment update, the analysis reads the plant capacity is 60,000 GPD or 171
Equivalent Dwelling units. Table D-4 projects that build out of the Town will generate demand
for 215,061 GPD, yet the needs analysis reads the demand will be half of this demand projection
for the same time period. The plan should be revised to identify which projection is estimated to
be reached within the planning horizon.
Conservation Element
1. Map Exhibit E-16 is listed as the 2012 Critical areas, but the title is 2001 Critical Areas. Also, the
map shows the entire length as critical for erosion, but the write up points to only the northern end
of town. The plan should be revised to reference the updated information for erosion zones.
1
2. The 2013 SRESP (Statewide Regional Evacuation Study Program) is available and replaces the
Coastal High Hazard area map and language provided. It is noted that the plan has been revised to
reference the Clearance Times from the 2013 SRESP; however the times do not match the 2020
Clearance Times for Base Scenarios. The Town should amend the plan to reference the following
2020 Clearance Times for Base Scenarios:
2020 Clearance Times for Base Scenario A
Evacuation Level A
12.5 hours
15.0 hours
15.5 hours
Clearance Time to Shelter
In County Clearance Time
Out of County Clearance Time
Source: 2013 SRESP
In addition, the map exhibit depicts the entire Town within the Coastal High Hazard Area, using
the repealed statutory definition of the Category 1 Evacuation Zone. The Town should amend the
plan to adopt the current statutory definition; which defines the Coastal High Hazard Area as the
Category 1 storm surge inundation area and amend the map exhibit in the plan to reflect the same.
The Town may utilize the following suggested language to append Objective E.1.8 Coastal High
Hazard Area (CHHA):
E.1.8.2 The Town shall identify the Coastal High Hazard Area as the area
below the elevation of the Category 1 storm surge line as established by a
Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from Hurricane (SLOSH) computerized storm
surge model prepared by the Northeast Florida Regional Council for the
2013 Regional Evacuation Study – Northeast Florida Region.
Intergovernmental Element
1. Page G-7, third paragraph under Coastal Element section references the 2010 Evacuation Study.
The 2013 version was released June 2014. Please update this section.
2. Objective G.1.6 references Year 2005 as a goal date for the Town to implement portions of the
River to Sea Preserve Management Plan.
Capital Improvements Element
1. Table H-4, Schedule of Capital Improvements, leading sentences cites Year 2009 as the end
date for funding of the suggested projects. The later year for the project list is 2020.
Because of the discrepancies within the Conservation Element, the amendments are not
technically consistent with Policies 10, 20, and 22 of the Strategic Regional Policy Plan.
2.
EXTRAJURISDICTIONAL IMPACTS INCONSISTENT WITH THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLANS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITHIN THE REGION
No extra-jurisdictional impacts that would be inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan of an
affected local government were identified.
2
Request a copy of the adopted version of the amendment?
Yes ___X___ No ______
Recommendation
Staff respectfully recommends that subject to the inclusion of the corrected data and
map exhibits, the Northeast Florida Regional Council President find 15-1ER
Marineland consistent with the Strategic Regional Policy Plan.
3
Agenda
Item
Tab 15
Tab 15
Tab 15
Tab 15
Tab 15
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 26, 2015
TO:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THRU:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FROM:
LINDSAY HAGA, PLANNING PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
RE:
2014 LAND USE TREND ANALYSIS
The following summary captures land use changes in the Northeast Florida Region
during 2014. The information is obtained from Large Scale Comprehensive Plan
amendments adopted throughout the year to help us determine how the Region is
developing. The following table shows the distribution of total acreage amended by
County in the Region during 2014.
County
Baker
Clay
Duval
Flagler
Nassau
Putnam
St. Johns
Size (Acres)
218
14.12
854.35
4,106
39.56
0
1,531.55
A total of 6,741 acres were amended and during this year, Flagler and St. Johns Counties
lead with the highest acreage totals, representing 60% and 22% of the total acres
respectively.
Board Memorandum
February 5, 2015
Page 2 of 2
YEAR 2014 info
LAND USE
CATEGORY
Commercial
Conservation
Mixed Use Residential
Office Business Park
Rural or Agriculture
Residential Low Density
(1-5 du/acre)
Residential Medium
Density (greater than 5
du/acre)
Commercial Mixed Use
Industrial Mixed Use
Industrial
FROM (AC)
TO (AC)
226.94
2297
90.61
202.33
1807.75
195.51
3,506.36
134.87
232.74
153.23
1740.09
878.03
376.99
1,397.57
0
0
0
21
26
196.22
Source: 2014 NEFRC Land Use Committee/Board reports (January 2014-December 2014).
Interesting points for 2014:
• Approximately 34% of the total acreage changed from Conservation, 27% change
from Agriculture and 26% changed from Low Density Residential to a range of
conservation, medium density residential and low density residential
• Palm Coast designated 2,297 acres as Conservation
• Jacksonville designated 563 acres within non-residential land use categories of
(commercial, industrial, and office business park)
YEAR 2013 info
LAND USE
CATEGORY
Commercial
Conservation
Mixed Use Residential
Office Business Park
Rural or Agriculture
Residential Low Density
(1-5 du/acre)
Residential Medium
Density (greater than 5
du/acre)
Commercial Mixed Use
Industrial Mixed Use
Industrial
FROM (AC)
TO (AC)
2.5
22.95
0
0
324.79
67.72
16
0
0
358.9
885
29.62
68.69
65.24
76.46
0
0
460.05
0
382.86
Source: 2013 NEFRC Land Use Committee/Board reports (January 2013-December 2013).
Interesting points for 2013:
• Approximately 324 acres or 23% of total acreage change from Rural
Residential/Agriculture to non-residential
Agenda
Item
Tab 16
Tab 16
Tab 16
Tab 16
Tab 16
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 26, 2015
TO:
NEFRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM:
MARGO MOEHRING
RE:
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Attached is the curriculum overview for the RLA Class of 2015. Please contact me if you wish
to participate in any of the classes, as each will benefit from the input of local leaders and experts
as resources.
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CLASS OF 2015
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
JANUARY 28, 2015-SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
January 7, 2015: Class Meet-up and RCI Social
Informal overview of the history of the Academy and the Institute. Cheeseballs and lemonade, with
time to mingle at NEFRC offices.
January 28, 2015: Regional Trends
Learn about the state of the Region from a panel including planners and educational experts. Then delve
into the issues facing Clay County, a part of the Region that is poised for change, given the construction
of the First Coast Expressway. Class is held in Green Cove Springs City Hall, with a view to Spring Park
and the St. Johns River. Discuss with local leaders where you think the County and City could be in the
future.
February 25, 2015: Regional Advancement
Tour JaxPort, review First Coast Vision and short term project priorities. In theory, these should help us
get to “the next level”. Spend time with leaders from the JU Public Policy Institute discussing how to
make things happen in Northeast Florida.
March 25, 2015: Success for All
Visit Palatka and see its impressive “Main Street” and “Transportation Disadvantaged” initiatives. Visit
Ravine Gardens State Park in azalea season. Spend time in the Water Works Environmental Education
Center, discussing how “ALICE” (United Way’s study on asset limited, income constrained employed)
people are faring in Northeast Florida, and how regional leaders can help strengthen communities.
April 22, 2015: Resiliency on Earth Day
Tour the Flagler County Emergency Operations Center and meet the professionals who provide
leadership when disaster strikes. Then view resiliency from the perspective of the farmer, who provides
for our most basic need in an environment that is constantly challenging. Visit a working farm and
explore agricultural innovations being tested for use in our Region.
May 27, 2015: Health and History
Historic MacClenny is the venue for a discussion of health and policy lead by a panel of free-thinking
experts. Tour the historic area with experts on economic development and cultural resources, so you
have a sense of life in Baker County and the significance of history to regional success.
Date to be determined, proposed for June, 2015: Supplemental Tour of NASJax
Join the Board of Directors of NEFRC on a guided tour of NASJax, where the Navy has been
demonstrating forward-thinking environmental stewardship for decades. A chance to meet established
leaders and representatives of one of the most defining facets of life in Northeast Florida.
June 24, 2015: Sustainability
Learn about water, energy and environment. Apply what you have learned to a community design
exercise addressing issues facing St. Johns County, aided by local experts in related fields. Planning
directors from throughout the Region are invited to meet you at this session, to be held at the St. Johns
County Permitting Center.
August 26, 2015: Democracy and the Future
Meet at Nassau County’s American Beach Community Center. Hear from a panel of experts on the local
election process: those who ran, those who won, and those who lost. After they have inspired you,
spend the rest of the class with your team on the final project. Presentations take place in the
afternoon and a winning project is selected.
September 28, 2015: Graduation and RCI Annual Meeting
Class graduates before the Annual Meeting, with RCI Board of Directors and Members in attendance.
Winning team presents their project. Graduates become Members of the Regional Community Institute.
Agenda
Item
Tab 17
Tab 17
Tab 17
Tab 17
Tab 17
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 27, 2015
TO:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM:
BETH PAYNE, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DIRECTOR
RE:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA HEALTHCARE COALITION
The Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) entered in to a contract with the Florida
Department of Health to serve as the administrative and fiscal agent to the Northeast Florida
Healthcare Coalition (NEFLHCC). A Memorandum of Agreement between the NEFRC and the
Chair of the NEFLHCC to perform these duties was signed with in October 2014.
A presentation on Healthcare Coalitions will be provided at the February 5th Board meeting to
provide information on how a Healthcare Coalition functions and the role it plays in the Region.
Agenda
Item
Tab 18
Tab 18
Tab 18
Tab 18
Tab 18
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 20, 2015
TO:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
RE:
FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION UPDATE
Attached is the December report of activities by FRCA’s Intergovernmental Affairs Director.
On January 9, 2015 the FRCA Policy Board met and the Council was represented by Mr. Register.
I have attached the agendas for both the Policy Board’s Partners and Business meetings.
As you can see from the Partners Meeting Agenda, the Policy Board heard presentations from a
wide variety of organizations. Of note from the Business meeting was the adoption of the 2015
Legislative Priorities (attached). The draft Strategic Operating Plan (attached) was also presented
and will be voted on at FRCA’s summer meeting.
If you have any questions or need additional information please let me know.
FRCA Update
December Activity Report
Sheri Coven
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
[email protected]
(850) 294-0526
MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT: December 2014
OUTREACH
•
•
•
•
In conjunction with the South Florida Regional Planning Council, provided support to the
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to help complete its application for a
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Special Merit Grant that, if awarded,
would provide a small amount of funding to the regional planning councils to increase
community resiliency capacity at the local level through a variety of training tools.
Participated by phone in a meeting with staff from the Florida Division of Emergency
Management and each of the regional planning councils to resolve Hazardous Materials
Emergency Preparedness contract reporting issues and worked with Division staff to
address periphery concerns.
Continued to coordinate with staff from the Florida Department of Economic
Opportunity on its application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development for the National Disaster Resiliency Competition.
Joined VISIT FLORIDA’s Partnership Program.
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT/CAPACITY BUILDING
•
•
•
•
To enhance partnerships and strengthen the relationship between regional planning
councils and their state and federal partners, participated in a meeting of the Sadowski
Coalition and in Enterprise Florida’s monthly teleconference for its economic
development partners, which focused on preparing for the 2015 Legislative Session and
included comments from Governor Scott pertaining to the state’s economic status.
Participated in the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2015 Future of Florida Forum Partners
Meeting to begin planning for next year’s Forum.
Participated in a planning meeting for the Florida Civic Advance inaugural annual
conference, which is an initiative of the Florida Consensus Center.
Distributed funding announcements from the Kresgee and Robert Wood Johnson
Foundations, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, National Endowment for
the Arts, VISIT FLORIDA, and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT
•
•
Shared the FRCA Executive Directors Advisory Committee’s position statement on
Developments of Regional Impact and Sector Plan Programs with the Legislative Director
for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and asked that, should the
Department run related legislation, it be considered for inclusion.
Completed a final draft of FRCA’s 2015 Legislative Agenda and Legislative Guiding
Principles and Procedures for consideration and approval by the Policy Board at its
January 9, 2015 meeting in Tallahassee.
Florida Regional Councils Association
Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
Monthly Activity Report
December 2014
•
Reviewed pertinent bills and issued the first bill tracking report of the 2015 Legislative
Session.
ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT
•
•
•
•
Welcomed Commissioner Frank Meeker, Flagler County (NEFRC), to the FRCA Policy
Board and emailed him a new member orientation packet.
Finalized a draft of what will be FRCA’s first Strategic Operating Plan for consideration
by the Policy Board at its January 9, 2015 meeting in Tallahassee.
Participated in the December 2-3, 2014 FRCA meetings that took place at the Tampa Bay
Regional Planning Council.
Finalized preparations for the series of FRCA events scheduled to take place January 8-9,
2015, including finalizing meeting logistics, securing speakers, developing agendas, and
drafting four sets of meeting summaries.
2
FRCA Update
January 9, 2015 Policy Board Partners Meeting Agenda
Apalachee  Central Florida
East Central Florida  North Central Florida
Northeast Florida  South Florida  Southwest Florida
Tampa Bay  Treasure Coast  West Florida  Withlacoochee
104 West Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301-1713  850.224.3427
Florida Regional Councils Association
Policy Board Meeting
January 9, 2015
9:00 AM – 12:15 PM*
Doubletree Hotel Ballroom
101 South Adams Street, 1st Floor
Tallahassee, FL
POLICY BOARD PARTNERS MEETING AGENDA
9:00 – 9:15 am
Call to Order, Welcome, and Introductions
Honorable Pat Huff, City of Bartow, CFRPC, FRCA President
9:15 – 9:45 am
Keynote Address
Mark Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Florida Chamber of Commerce
9:45 – 10:30 am
Florida’s Economic Outlook
Amy Baker, Coordinator, Florida Office of Economic & Demographic Research
10:30 – 11:00 am Washington Update
Joanna Turner, Executive Director, National Association of Regional Councils
11:00 – 11:30 am Statewide Transportation Planning Update
Jim Wood, Director of Policy Planning, Florida Department of Transportation
John Kaliski, Principal, Cambridge Systematics
11:30 – 11:45 am Florida Association of Counties Update
Lisa Hurley, Legislative Director
11:45 – 12:00 pm Florida League of Cities Update
David Cruz, Esq., Legislative Advocate
12:00 – 12:15 pm Closing Comments
Honorable Pat Huff, City of Bartow, CFRPC, FRCA President
12:15 pm
ADJOURN TO WORKING LUNCH/NETWORKING
(Business Meeting convenes at 12:45 pm)
*Breakfast will be served beginning at 8:30 a.m.
FRCA Update
January 9, 2015 Policy Board Business Meeting Agenda
Apalachee  Central Florida
East Central Florida  North Central Florida
Northeast Florida  South Florida  Southwest Florida
Tampa Bay  Treasure Coast  West Florida  Withlacoochee
104 West Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301-1713  850.224.3427
Florida Regional Councils Association
Policy Board Meeting
January 9, 2015
12:45 – 3:00 pm*
Doubletree Hotel, Ballroom
101 South Adams Street, 1st Floor
Tallahassee, FL
POLICY BOARD BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA
12:45 – 12:50 pm Call to Order and Approval of the August 15, 2015 FRCA Business
Meeting Summary
Honorable Pat Huff, City of Bartow, CFRPC, FRCA President
12:50 – 1:05 pm
Executive Director’s Report
Ronald L. Book, FRCA Executive Director
1:05 – 1:40 pm
Palm Beach County’s Request for a Boundary Study
Brian Teeple, NEFRC, FRCA Executive Directors Advisory Committee, Chair
1:40 – 2:00 pm
Draft Strategic Operating Plan
Brian Teeple, NEFRC, FRCA Executive Directors Advisory Committee, Chair
2:00 – 2:20 pm
Draft Legislative Agenda and Guiding Principles and Procedures
Brian Teeple, NEFRC, FRCA Executive Directors Advisory Committee, Chair
2:20 – 2:30 pm
Intergovernmental Affairs Report
Sheri Coven, FRCA Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
2:30 – 2:40 pm
FRCA Financial Report
Chris Rietow, ARPC, FRCA Executive Directors Advisory Committee, Treasurer
2:40 – 2:50 pm
Appointment of Nominating Committee for 2015 Policy Board
Honorable Pat Huff, City of Bartow, CFRPC, FRCA President
2:50 – 3:00 pm
Other Business
Honorable Pat Huff, City of Bartow, CFRPC, FRCA President
3:00 pm
Adjourn
*Lunch will be served from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m.
FRCA Update
2015 Legislative Priorities
Apalachee  Central Florida
East Central Florida  North Central Florida
Northeast Florida  South Florida  Southwest Florida
Tampa Bay  Treasure Coast  West Florida  Withlacoochee
104 West Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301-1713  850.224.3427
2015 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Regional planning councils have been in existence in Florida since the early 1960s, created by
the local governments they serve, to meet local government and regional needs, provide
services, and collaborate on state and federal initiatives and programs. Florida Statutes
recognize regional planning councils as “Florida’s only multipurpose regional entities that plan
for and coordinate intergovernmental solutions on multi-jurisdictional issues, support regional
economic development, and provide assistance to local governments.”
The Florida Regional Councils Association, an alliance of Florida’s 11 regional planning councils,
serves to strengthen the consistency and quality of regional planning council programs to
ensure economic prosperity and add value to local, regional, and state initiatives. To that end,
the Florida Regional Councils Association Policy Board adopted the following priorities for the
2015 Legislative Session:
Talent Supply & Education
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports enhanced economic competitiveness, which
must include an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in public
education and training programs that are aligned with existing and emerging job markets and
industry clusters.
Innovation & Economic Development
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports full funding of regional planning councils to,
at a minimum, leverage the role of regional planning councils as federally designated economic
development districts; provide support to state and regional economic development initiatives
and activities; provide assistance to local economic development organizations; and, cover the
costs of statutory responsibilities.
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports legislation that reauthorizes the Enterprise
Zone program due to sunset on December 31, 2015.
Infrastructure & Growth Leadership
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports a continued state and regional role in
helping local governments accommodate future growth while ensuring economic prosperity and
preparing for and responding to emergencies and natural disasters.
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports future transportation corridors, a diverse
and competitive statewide multi-modal transportation network, and sustainable sources of
transportation funding that are consistent with and support regional visions and further the
regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies of Florida’s 11 federally designated
Economic Development Districts.
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports maintaining and protecting the integrity of
all Trust Funds for their stated use.
Business Climate & Competitiveness
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports a strong, but fair, development impact
mitigation process that addresses extra-jurisdictional impacts and impacts to natural resources
of regional significance and other regional resources and facilities; preserves the role of regional
planning councils as conveners and their right to collect fees for services; utilizes regional
planning councils’ dispute resolution processes; and, protects the entitlements and vested
development rights necessary for large-scale, long-term financial investments.
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports changes to the Sector Plan process that
would provide regional planning councils with a fee for service funding mechanism to allow
them to participate in the process in a more meaningful capacity; require regional planning
councils to convene all affected parties in the process; and, create a role for regional planning
councils in the Detailed Specific Area Plan process to ensure all regional issues are addressed.
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports the unlimited ability of a regional planning
council to provide planning and technical services for a fee, in furtherance of its mission.
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports streamlining state regulatory review
processes while ensuring regional and local interests are taken into consideration.
Civic & Governance Systems
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports the positions and policies of organizations
that share a common membership with regional planning councils including the Florida
Association of Counties, Florida League of Cities, Small County Coalition, and the Metropolitan
Planning Organization Advisory Council, and which are of mutual interest and concern.
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports efforts to improve efficiency and
collaboration among agencies tasked with multi-jurisdictional planning throughout the state.
Quality of Life & Quality Places
The Florida Regional Councils Association supports regional visioning as a means to guide the
future of Florida, build public/private coalitions to implement key regional and statewide
initiatives, and serve as the basis for strategic statewide planning and budgeting initiatives.
2
FRCA Update
DRAFT Strategic Operating Plan
FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCILS ASSOCIATION
PROPOSED 2015-16 STRATEGIC OPERATING PLAN
Proposed Mission Statement
The Florida Regional Councils Association fosters regional strategies, solutions, and
partnerships to support economic growth and improve quality of life; promotes a standard of
excellence in the delivery of regional planning council programs and technical professional
assistance and expertise; and, advocates for the role of regional planning councils as the
state’s primary organizations to address problems that are of greater-than-local concern.
GOAL 1: Create a business development strategy that identifies a variety of funding sources
and seeks funding opportunities to support the priorities and programs of the regional
planning councils.
Objective 1: Organize the business development strategy around regional planning council
statewide core programs and develop a template for each regional planning council to use and
supplement with programs that may be unique to their region.
Objective 2: Strengthen partnerships with state agencies and other statewide organizations on
a perpetual basis to reinforce the relevance of and benefits of working with regional planning
councils.
Objective 3: Promote the value of contracting with the regional planning councils for statewide
work through a single contract and point of contact.
Objective 4: Identify and distribute grant opportunities and announcements to the regional
planning councils.
Objective 5: Identify regional planning council programs that are ripe for expansion and
explore how that might occur.
Objective 6: Promote regional planning council economic modeling services to local
governments, local economic development organizations, and local chambers of commerce.
Objective 7: Explore partnerships with non-traditional organizations, such as Visit Florida and
Tourist Development Councils.
Objective 8: Explore non-traditional funding opportunities for regional planning councils, such
as endowments, public-private partnerships, foundations, and summit/training registration
fees.
Objective 9: Continue to explore meaningful opportunities for securing state funding.
DRAFT * DRAFT * DRAFT * DRAFT * DRAFT
1
GOAL 2: Utilize an advisory council from among the regional planning council gubernatorial
appointees to advocate on behalf of regional planning councils.
Objective 1: Identify tactics to improve communication between regional planning council
gubernatorial appointees and the Governor and his staff.
Objective 2: Identify regional planning council programs and activities that cannot be carried
out without a state appropriation.
Objective 3: Identify regional planning council programs and activities that are in sync with the
Governors priorities.
Objective 4: Communicate to the Governor and his staff how regional planning council
gubernatorial appointees could be used as a delivery mechanism for his priorities.
GOAL 3: Promote the core programs that are common among the 11 regional planning
councils (i.e., economic development, emergency management, transportation, quality of
life, and regional conveners).
Objective 1: Develop a statewide core program message to be utilized in FRCA’s
Communications Program.
Objective 2: Identify specific regional planning council mechanisms to promote the core
program message.
GOAL 4: Strengthen the role of regional planning councils as conveners of their regions.
Objective 1: Identify subject areas best suited for utilizing regional planning councils as
conveners.
Objective 2: Determine how and to whom this message should be communicated.
GOAL 5: Enhance the role of regional planning councils as data centers.
Objective 1: Identify and secure a funding source to enhance the Regional Scorecard Website.
Objective 2: Identify means to promote regional planning council GIS services within each
region.
Objective 3: Evaluate whether regional planning councils should be a clearinghouse of existing
data or collector of new primary data and once determined, develop strategies for
accomplishing and promoting this in a meaningful way and consistently among the councils.
Objective 4: Build a relationship with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Office
of Labor Market Statistics to ensure consistency in the area of economic modeling for economic
development projects and encourage referrals from that office to regional planning councils as
may be appropriate.
DRAFT * DRAFT * DRAFT * DRAFT * DRAFT
2
GOAL 6: Develop a communications program.
Objective 1: Issue a quarterly FRCA Newsletter that addresses core programs and examples of
regional planning councils’ best practices and transferable activities.
Objective 2: Maintain a FRCA Website.
Objective 4: Issue press releases and public service announcements and encourage regional
planning councils to do the same.
Objective 3: Secure exhibit hall space at the Florida Association of Counties and Florida League
of Cities annual conferences, and other conferences that may be relevant.
Objective 4: Develop focused, independent marketing materials on the regional planning
council economic modeling program; economic development tool box; dispute resolution;
regional scorecard website; data centers; and role of regional planning councils as conveners of
their regions.
Objective 5: Develop a common overview of regional planning councils focused on their
ownership by and worth to local governments, their citizens, and thus, their constituents.
Objective 6: Explore whether engaging in social media would be cost effective in terms of staff
time, audience, and beneficial outcomes.
Objective 7: Provide a FRCA orientation package to new FRCA Policy Board members.
Objective 8: Develop and distribute a FRCA-related orientation package to each regional
planning council for inclusion in their respective orientation package for new regional planning
council board members and encourage sharing the same with all new elected officials in
person.
Objective 9: Encourage regional planning councils meet with each local economic development
organization in their region on an annual basis to outline the resources that regional planning
councils bring to the table.
Objective 10: Develop a strategy for being more proactive with the media.
Objective 11: Review the FRCA logo and byline to ensure their relevancy.
Objective 12: Revise the FRCA Letterhead to include the statewide core program message.
DRAFT * DRAFT * DRAFT * DRAFT * DRAFT
3
Agenda
Item
Tab 19
Tab 19
Tab 19
Tab 19
Tab 19
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 26, 2015
TO:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
RE:
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Legislative Committee meetings for the 2015 Legislative Session are in full swing and are
occurring every 2 weeks. As of today there have been 264 bills filed in the Senate and
274 bills filed in the House.
Attached is the January 21, 2015 FRCA Bill Tracking Chart and the January 5-9, 2015
Legislative Highlights.
I previously informed you all of the filing of SB 484 by Senator Simpson (District 18) which
would delete any reference to Regional Planning Councils in Florida Statutes. By the time
of the meeting I hope to have an update.
If you have any questions or need additional information please let me know.
Legislative Update
January 21, 2015 FRCA Bill tracking Rpt
2015 FRCA Bill Tracking Report - January 21, 2015
Page 1 of 3
2015 FRCA Bill Tracking Report - January 21, 2015
Sorted by Bill Number
HB 0063
Relating to Public-Private Partnerships
Steube
Public-Private Partnerships: Creates Division of Public-Private Partnerships within DEO; authorizes use of
public-private partnerships for certain contracts; revises provisions related to unsolicited proposals
received by responsible public entities; restricts & requires certain provisions in financing agreements.
Effective Date: July 1, 2015
12/8/2014 HOUSE Filed
12/19/2014 HOUSE Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee; Economic Development & Tourism
Subcommittee; Appropriations Committee; State Affairs Committee
12/19/2014 HOUSE Now in Government Operations Subcommittee
Bill Comments
The primary purpose of this newly proposed Division of Public-Private Partnerships within DEO is to assist responsible
public entities in the creation and management of public-private partnerships. It also extends the authority of
municipalities, political subdivisions, school districts, and school boards to award design-build contracts by the use of
public-private partnerships as prescribed in House Bill 65.
HB 0065
Relating to Public Records and Public Meetings
Steube
Public Records and Public Meetings: Provides exemption from public records requirements & public
meetings requirements for unsolicited proposals held by responsible public entity for specified period;
provides definition; requires that recording be made of closed meeting; provides exemption from public
records requirements of records generated during a closed meeting for specified period; provides for
future legislative review & repeal of exemptions; provides statement of public necessity; provides for
contingent effect. Effective Date: on the same date that HB 63 or similar legislation takes effect
12/8/2014 HOUSE Filed
12/19/2014 HOUSE Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee; Economic Development & Tourism
Subcommittee; State Affairs Committee
12/19/2014 HOUSE Now in Government Operations Subcommittee
Bill Comments
This bill amends s. 287.05712, F.S. The legislative intent of this section is the recognition of "a public need for the
construction or upgrade of facilities that are used predominantly for public purposes and that it is in the public’s interest
to provide for the construction or upgrade of such facilities." Temporarily protecting unsolicited proposals, which is the
purpose of this bill, protects the public-private partnership process by encouraging private entities to submit such
proposals to facilitate the timely development and operation of a qualifying project. Protecting such information ensures
that other private entities do not gain an unfair competitive advantage. The exemption is good for 90 to 180 days,
depending on the circumstances.
HB 0075
Relating to Department of Economic Opportunity
Combee
Department of Economic Opportunity: Requires DEO to create web page accessible through its Internet
website that provides certain information; provides purpose of web page; requires DEO to collect all local
business information available to DEO; requires DEO to request relevant local government to provide any
otherwise unavailable information; requires local governments to provide notice of changes in information
collected by DEO; authorizes local government entities to provide summary that includes certain
information for DEO's web page. Effective Date: July 1, 2015
12/8/2014 HOUSE Filed
12/19/2014 HOUSE Referred to Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee; Local Government Affairs
Subcommittee; Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee; Economic Affairs
Committee
12/19/2014 HOUSE Now in Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee
Bill Comments
The new website is to be solely dedicated to the collection and publication of data and information that are relevant and
of significance to the creation of new businesses within the state or the expansion of existing businesses within the
state. The purpose for doing so is to (a) provide a comprehensive overview of conditions that exist within the various
cities and counties of the state that are conducive or advantageous to the creation of new businesses or the expansion
of existing businesses; (b) enable prospective employers both within and outside the state to effectively and accurately
evaluate the business climate of cities and counties within the state; and, (c) provide prospective business owners and
operators and cities and counties within the state with immediate access to specific charges and costs related to the
establishment, operation, and maintenance of a business in any city or county within the state. DEO is given until
January 1, 2016 to collect the data and then post it to its web page "as soon as practicable." The bill includes a lengthy
list of the specific information that is to be collected.
SB 0086
Relating to Medical Tourism
Bean
Medical Tourism; Requiring an analysis of medical tourism in the Economic Development Programs
Evaluation; requiring Enterprise Florida, Inc., to collaborate with the Department of Economic Opportunity
to market this state as a health care destination; requiring the Division of Tourism Marketing to include in
its 4-year plan a discussion of the promotion of medical tourism; requiring a specified amount of funds
appropriated to the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation to be allocated for the medical tourism
marketing plan, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2015
11/18/2014 SENATE Filed
12/12/2014 SENATE Referred to Commerce and Tourism; Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism,
file:///G:/Executive/BOARD%20MEETING/WEB%20DOCUMENTS... 1/22/2015
2015 FRCA Bill Tracking Report - January 21, 2015
Page 2 of 3
and Economic Development; Fiscal Policy
Bill Comments
The bill requires the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation to create a matching grant program to provide
funding to local or regional economic development organizations for targeted medical tourism marketing initiatives. The
initiatives must promote and advance Florida as a destination for quality health care services. Selection of recipients of
a matching grant must be based on the following criteria: (a) Any health care providers involved in the local initiative
must meet the criteria specified in subsection (1); (b) The local or regional economic development organization must
demonstrate an ability to involve a variety of businesses in a collaborative effort to welcome and support patients and
their families who travel to this state to obtain medical services; (c) The cash or in-kind services available from the local
or regional economic development organization must be at least equal to the amount of available state financial
support.
SB 0232
Relating to Department of Economic Opportunity
Hays
Department of Economic Opportunity; Requiring the department to create a web page accessible through
its Internet website that provides certain information; providing the purpose of the web page, etc. Effective
Date: 7/1/2015
1/5/2015
SENATE Filed
1/13/2015 SENATE Referred to Commerce and Tourism; Community Affairs; Appropriations Subcommittee on
Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Fiscal Policy
Bill Comments
No comments.
HB 0257
Relating to Freight Logistics Zones
Ray
Defines "freight logistics zone"; authorizes county or two or more contiguous counties to designate
geographic area or areas within its jurisdiction as freight logistics zone; requires adoption of strategic plan
which must include certain information; provides that certain projects within freight logistics zones may be
eligible for priority in state funding & certain incentive programs; provides evaluation criteria for freight
logistics zones. Effective Date: July 1, 2015
1/13/2015 HOUSE Filed
Bill Comments
This bill defines a freight logistic zone as a grouping of activities and infrastructure associated with freight transportation
and related services within a defined area around an intermodal logistics center as defined in s. 311.101(2), F.S. It
allows a county or two or more contiguous counties to designate a geographic area or areas within its jurisdiction as a
freight logistics zone. The designation must include a strategic plan adopted by the county(ies) that includes a map
depicting the geographic area of the jurisdiction and identification of existing or planned freight facilities or logistics
clusters; existing transportation infrastructure; existing workforce availability; existing planned local, state, or federal
workforce training capabilities; any local, state, or federal plans concerning the movement of freight; and, financial or
other local government incentives to encourage new development, expansion of existing development, or
redevelopment, within the proposed zone. The plan must include documentation that it is consistent with applicable
local government comprehensive plans and adopted MPO long-range transportation plans. Projects within these zones
that are consistent with the state's Freight Mobility and Trade Plan may be eligible for priority state funding and
incentives. Criteria for determining that eligibility are included in the bill.
SB 0278
Relating to Downtown Development Districts
Diaz de la Portilla
Downtown Development Districts; Authorizing the governing body of a municipality that has created a
downtown development district to levy an ad valorem tax on all real and personal property in the district to
finance the district’s operation; limiting the tax to a specified percentage; providing for limitation of the
district’s millage, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2015
1/7/2015
SENATE Filed
1/15/2015 SENATE Referred to Community Affairs; Finance and Tax; Appropriations
Bill Comments
No additional comments beyond the summary provided above.
SB 0284
Relating to Permitting
Diaz de la Portilla
Permitting; Specifying additional issues that may be reviewed by circuit courts with respect to certain
permits issued by state agencies and water management districts; providing additional remedies in the
event of an exactions taking, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2015
1/7/2015
SENATE Filed
1/15/2015 SENATE Referred to Environmental Preservation and Conservation; Appropriations Subcommittee on
General Government; Appropriations
Bill Comments
No additional comments beyond the summary provided above.
SB 0392
Relating to Enterprise Zones
Clemens
Enterprise Zones; Revising the policy and purpose of the Florida Enterprise Zone Act; revising the
conditions under which a county or municipality, or a county and one or more municipalities, may apply for
the designation of an area as an enterprise zone; providing that the municipality or county that applies for
designation of an enterprise zone has jurisdiction over the enterprise zone’s administration; extending the
expiration date of the Florida Enterprise Zone Act, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2015
1/20/2015 SENATE Filed
Bill Comments
file:///G:/Executive/BOARD%20MEETING/WEB%20DOCUMENTS... 1/22/2015
2015 FRCA Bill Tracking Report - January 21, 2015
Page 3 of 3
Under review.
HB 0429
Relating to Legislation by Initiative
Geller
Legislation by Initiative: Proposes creation of s. 22, Art. III & amendment of s. 10, Art. IV of State
Constitution to authorize proposal & enactment of legislation by initiative & provide for Supreme Court
review of petitions proposing legislation. Effective Date: Not Specified
1/20/2015 HOUSE Filed
Bill Comments
Under review.
HB 0435
Relating to Administrative Procedures
Adkins
Administrative Procedures: Revises provisions regarding attorney fees & costs in administrative cases;
revises certain requirements related to proceedings regarding rules, proposed rules, unadopted rules, &
agency statements; revises certain authorities of administrative law judges; revises provisions regarding
noticing of agency actions; expands agency reporting requirements of certain minor rules; revises certain
timeframes in administrative proceedings. Effective Date: July 1, 2015
1/20/2015 HOUSE Filed
Bill Comments
Under review.
SB 7002
Relating to Renaming Workforce Florida, Inc.
Commerce and Tourism
Renaming Workforce Florida, Inc.; Renaming Workforce Florida, Inc., as CareerSource Florida, Inc.
Effective Date: 7/1/2015
1/5/2015
SENATE Submitted as Committee Bill by Commerce and Tourism; 6 Yeas, 0 Nays
1/6/2015
SENATE Committee Bill Text Filed
1/13/2015 SENATE Referred to Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Fiscal Policy
Bill Comments
No comments.
Generated 13 rows in 0.75 seconds on Wed Jan 21 15:14:42 2015
file:///G:/Executive/BOARD%20MEETING/WEB%20DOCUMENTS... 1/22/2015
Legislative Update
January 5 - 9, 2015 Legislative Highlights
LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
January 5-9, 2015
Committee meeting packets, presentations, and bills discussed below or which appear on the
FRCA Bill tracking summary can be accessed at http://www.flsenate.gov/ for the Florida Senate
and http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/ for the Florida House of Representatives. Please
remember that even-numbered bills are filed by the Senate and odd numbered bills are filed by
the House. In addition, you can link to the House’s and Senate’s websites through Online
Sunshine, http://www.leg.state.fl.us/, which also includes links to Florida Statutes; the Florida
Constitution; Laws of Florida; lobbyist directories; the legislative information center; and, other
legislative resources.
COMMITTEE MEETING UPDATES
•
Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee: A year after the state's 24 regional
workforce boards and nearly 100 one-stop career centers were renamed under the
statewide title of CareerSource, the change is on its way to being fixed into law. Members of
the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee advanced a proposal (SPB 7002) that
replaces all references to the former Workforce Florida, Inc., with the new name throughout
state law. Chris Hart, President and CEO for CareerSource, provided a justification for the
new unified brand name for Florida’s workforce system, including boosting awareness and
improving access to the employment-related agency.
In addition to the CareerSource discussion, the members were given a staff presentation on
the Enterprise Zone Program, as summarized below:
o
OVERVIEW
 The Legislature created the Florida Enterprise Zone Program in 1982 to provide
incentives to induce private investments in economically distressed areas of the
state.
 The program targets areas that chronically display extreme and unacceptable levels
of unemployment, physical deterioration, and economic disinvestment.
 The program has several goals including revitalizing and rehabilitating distressed
areas, stimulating employment among area residents, and enhancing economic and
social well-being in the areas.
 The program uses the following six incentives to spur private investment:
o Jobs Tax Credit (Sales and Use Tax) – businesses located in an Enterprise Zone
that collect and pay Florida sales and use tax are allowed a monthly sales tax
credit for wages paid to new employees who have been employed for at least
three months and are Enterprise Zone residents, or residents of a rural county in
rural Enterprise Zones;
o Jobs Tax Credit (Corporate Income Tax) – Businesses located in an Enterprise
Zone that pay Florida corporate income tax are allowed a corporate income tax
credit for wages paid to new employees who have been employed for at least
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three months and are Enterprise Zone residents, or residents of a rural county in
rural Enterprise Zones;
o Business Equipment Sales Tax Refund – A refund is available for sales taxes paid
on the purchase of certain business property that is used exclusively in a zone
for at least three years;
o Building Materials Sales Tax Refund – A refund is available for sales taxes paid
on the purchase of building materials used to rehabilitate real property located in
a zone;
o Property Tax Credit (Corporate Income Tax) – New or expanded businesses
located in a zone are allowed a credit on their Florida corporate income tax equal
to 96% of ad valorem taxes paid on new or improved property; and,
o Sales Tax Exemption for Electrical Energy – 50% sales tax exemption on the
purchase of electrical energy available to businesses located in an Enterprise
Zone (only available if the municipality in which the business is located passed an
ordinance to exempt qualified Enterprise Zone businesses from 50% of the
municipal utility tax).
Local governments may nominate zones with high poverty (greater than 20%), high
unemployment (above state average), and general distress (high crime, abandoned
structures).
Zone size depends on population, but may not exceed 20 square miles.
The Department of Economic Opportunity oversees the program and approves zone
designation applications.
Local governments are responsible for zone administration and monitoring.
The Florida Department of Revenue ensures incentive application requirements are
met.
TIMELINE
 The 1994 Legislature repealed the existing enterprise zones on December 31, 1994,
created parameters for designation of new zones, and established a program
expiration date of June 30, 2005. The jobs tax credit criteria were revised to require
both businesses and employees to reside within an enterprise zone.
 In 1995, 19 new rural and urban enterprise zones were designated.
 The 2005 Legislature extended the program for 10 years, and gave existing
enterprise zones an opportunity to have their zones re-designated. By January 1,
2006, the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development (OTTED)
had approved 53 re-designation application packages. Subsequently, the Legislature
authorized and OTTED approved the designation of enterprise zones in nine
additional jurisdictions.
 In 2010, the Legislature amended the definition of real property by excluding
condominiums from the building materials sales tax refund incentive.
 In October 2011, management of the Enterprise Zone Program was transferred from
OTTED to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
 The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity approved three additional
enterprise zone application packages in 2012, bringing the total number of zones to
65 (Miami-Dade County is home to about 30 percent of those, but Jacksonville
contains one of the Florida's largest enterprise zones).
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OPPAGA/FLORIDA OFFICE OF ECONOMIC & DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH REVIEW
 OPPAGA found that, in general, the Enterprise Zone program had not met legislative
goals for the following reasons:
o No strong evidence that residential property values increased more in Enterprise
Zones than in similar non-Enterprise Zone areas;
o Only one Enterprise Zone (of five representative zones) showed an increase in
median family income higher than in comparable non-Enterprise Zone areas;
o Only one Enterprise Zone (of five representative zones) had a lower
unemployment rate than in comparable non-Enterprise Zone areas; and,
o Only one Enterprise Zone (of five representative zones) had a lower poverty rate
than in comparable non-Enterprise Zone areas.
 The Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research found the program
produces a negative return-on-investment to the state, as follows.
o -0.04 (assuming no property appreciation); and,
o -0.05 (assuming property appreciation).
Following the presentation, Chair Nancy Detert (R-Venice) said that the program needed
significant reform, if it were to continue at all. She added that she is not interested in minor
revisions but wants to see something new. Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater) suggested
that major cuts to the program would be short-sighted. Senator Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville)
added that if the program is continued, state resources need to be directed where they can
do the most good.
•
Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee: Committee staff
gave a presentation on Amendment 1, the Florida Water and Land Conservation Initiative.
Key provisions of the amendment were reviewed, as follows:
o The Florida Land Acquisition Trust Fund receives 33% of New Revenues (total
documentary stamp tax collections less Department of Revenue Administrative
costs), expended in accordance with certain acquisition priorities.
o The provisions become effective July 1, 2015.
o Distributions to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund are required for 20 years (by July 1,
2035).
o Commingling of this money with General Revenue is prohibited.
Staff explained that implementation of Amendment 1 must include restructuring of s.
201.15, F.S., to comply with constitutional requirements as well as restructuring trust funds
and distributions to provide accountability; increasing transparency; and, complying with the
prohibition on commingling funds. Assurances were given that public input and
participation would be a part of the process and in that regard, the Florida Senate added a
button on www.flsenate.gov called “Water and Land Conservation” that may be used to
submit written comments to the committee, monitor committee records and activity, and
access links to relevant documents.
•
House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee: The Committee was given
a staff presentation on the current status of Florida’s water supply and future water use
projections from Rich Budell, Director of the Office of Agricultural Water Policy at the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. Mr. Budell’s key points included the
following:
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Projected water demand is expected to increase 20% by 2030.
Five of the top 15 agricultural producing counties (Hillsborough, Marion, Miami-Dade,
Orange, and Seminole) face potential competition for water supply as demand from
public supply in these counties averages over 60% of water demand compared to the
overall public supply average of 41%.
The top two counties in agricultural water demand, Palm Beach and Hendry, use 39% of
the total average annual irrigation demand.
Agricultural irrigation returns 40 to 50 percent of pumped water to surface water or
aquifer
Eighty five percent of water is used for food production.
In 2012, domestic water supply overtook agriculture as the largest water user.
By 2030, domestic supply demand will increase by 30 percent – agricultural supply
demand will increase by only five percent.
Meeting Florida’s growing water demands will require a variety of alternative water
supply projects, resource optimization strategies, and conservation measures.
Irrigated agricultural lands geodatabase will ensure future agricultural demand estimates
are as precise as possible.
Agricultural water supply challenges include diversity of Florida agriculture; changing
economic conditions; climate events; pest and diseases, changing markets and
consumer preferences; and increases in population and related food production.
House Economic Development and Tourism Subcommittee: Jesse Panuccio,
Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, provided the committee with an
overview of the Department. Melissa Medley, Senior Vice-President with Enterprise Florida
(EFI), reviewed EFI’s annual report, which closed with a discussion of the need for
dedicated marketing funding to promote Florida for Business. The Department included in
its recommended budget $5 million to promote Florida as the “Perfect Climate for Business.”
The Committee was receptive to the proposal. Chair Frank Artiles (R-Miami) recognized the
good job that both agencies are doing and committed to trying to provide funding for this
purpose. Ms. Medley pointed out that EFI and 19 organizations initially raised $1.4 million
for the branding initiative, but said that the effort needs more support from the Legislature
to succeed. Some members were more cautious in their comments but committed to
delving into the details as the work of the committee progresses.
POLICY NOTES
•
Economy: The program, GrowFL, provides "economic gardening" services to second-stage
businesses, defined as companies with 10 to 99 employees, revenues between $1 million
and $50 million, and the potential for rapid growth. Economic gardening provides resources
such as empirical market analyses and mentorship opportunities to the leadership of these
companies, which account for about 32 percent of Florida's jobs. According to a recent
TaxWatch study, which based its model on numbers collected by a 2014 University of
Central Florida (UCF) analysis, if companies involved with GrowFL continued to produce
about 1,000 new jobs a year, as it had during the two years studied by UCF, the state could
expect the program to create about 25,000 new jobs with average salaries of about $77,000
a year over the next decade. Furthermore, TaxWatch estimated that those jobs would
produce more than $16.5 million a year for the state by drawing new residents and
encouraging consumption. Because the jobs created through GrowFL tend to come from
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technical and manufacturing industries, the study found that the program also helps
diversify the states' economy and provides a wide range of jobs to ensure that Florida's
brightest university graduates remain in the state. For a copy of the report, go to
http://www.floridataxwatch.org/resources/pdf/EconGardeningFINAL.pdf.
•
Railroads and High Speed Rail: The state of Florida did not submit comments to the
Federal Railroad Administration on the proposed construction of passenger rail service, All
Aboard Florida, by the December 6, 2014 deadline. Comments should have been submitted
through The Florida Clearinghouse, which is run through the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, and was responsible for crafting the state’s official response.
Comments on the All Aboard Florida’s environmental impact statement from the Florida
Departments of Transportation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and
Florida Department of Environmental Protection could be discarded due to the missed
deadline.
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORMS
Several organizations recently adopted their respective 2015 legislative platforms, as provided
below.
•
Florida Association of Counties: The Florida Association of Counties adopted the
following policy statement pertaining to regional planning councils: SUPPOR T full funding
of regional planning councils to, at a minimum, cover the costs of statutory
responsibilities, and to support enhanced economic development activities. OPPOSE
legislation prohibiting or restricting the ability of a regional planning council to provide
planning and technical services to its local governments. In addition, its Legislative
priorities include the following:
o Tax Reform: SUPPORT tax reform measures that simplify administration and provide
an economic boost to Florida’s taxpayers while at the same time considering and
minimizing the collective and cumulative negative impact on local revenues, including
state shared and local discretionary revenue sources that are critical to local
governments in providing community services.
o Economic Development: SUPPORT measures that empower local governments and
provide resources to work with community partners towards the creation of quality jobs,
more vibrant Florida communities and global competitiveness as envisioned by the
Florida Chamber Foundation’s 20 year strategic plan.
o Amendment 1–The Florida Water and Land Conservation Amendment:
SUPPORT a balanced distribution of funds for land acquisition and for water quality and
quantity projects throughout the state, with equitable allocation irrespective of a
project’s urban or rural nature, or its coastal or inland location. SUPPORT land
acquisitions of less than fee simple interest, thus reducing the cost to taxpayers while
generating revenue, and allowing property owners to continue certain uses with
negotiable terms. SUPPORT an allocation policy that involves local government
participation in priority assessment and community impact. OPPOSE the use of
Amendment 1 to supplant current funding for beach renourishment, springs protection
and other uses allowed in Amendment 1. SUPPORT the continued funding of the Water
Management Lands Trust Fund and the annual reserve for payments in lieu of taxes for
ad valorem losses incurred as a result of water management district acquisition or
charitable donation. SUPPORT the provision of PILT payments at a level that reflects
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current ad valorem revenues with adjustments to reflect any increase in property value
in the future.
Medicaid County Cost Cap: SUPPORT establishing a cap on growth in the individual
county Medicaid costs under s. 409.915, F.S. to address the anticipated cost shifts that
result from the transition to a Medicaid enrollee based cost-sharing system.
Juvenile Detention Cost Share: SUPPORT the state taking full responsibility for
funding and operation of detention facilities serving juveniles, both for pre-disposition
and post-disposition days and implementing juvenile justice reform, as recommended by
the Detention Cost Share Proviso Workgroup. In the alternative, SUPPORT funding for
the secure detention as upheld by Florida’s courts. SUPPORT allowing counties to pay
actual costs on a monthly reimbursement basis.
A complete copy of FAC’s 2015 Legislative Program is available at http://www.flcounties.com/advocacy/2015-advocacy/2015-legislative-program.
•
Florida League of Cities: The Florida League of Cities 2015 Legislative Action Agenda
includes the following priorities:
o The Florida League of Cities SUPPORTS legislation that reauthorizes and improves the
Enterprise Zone program scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2015.
o The Florida League of Cities OPPOSES expanding exemptions or repeal of the
Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) process.
o The Florida League of Cities SUPPORTS legislation that preserves local control of
transportation planning, provides equitable transportation funding among municipalities
and counties, and provides opportunities for additional revenue options for municipal
transportation infrastructure projects.
Additional priorities address municipal pension reform; Communications Services Tax and
local business tax protection; stormwater fee collection; water quality and quantity; Ridefor-Hire services; homelessness; and, sober Homes. While the League’s Legislative Action
Agenda does not specifically address regional planning council funding, it remains
supportive of regional planning councils. A complete copy of the League’s Legislative Action
Agenda is available at http://www.floridaleagueofcities.com/Assets/Files/Advocacy/2015Legislative-Action-Agenda-web.pdf .
•
Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council:
The Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council (MPOAC) priority policy positions
support legislation that does the following:
o Implements the recommendations from the MPOAC transportation revenue study and
other options for expanding transportation revenue sources;
o Restores funding for the Transportation Regional Incentive Program in order to promote
regional planning and project development;
o Protects existing transportation programs from negative financial impacts that may arise
from the passage of the 2014 Florida Water and Land Conservation Initiative and directs
funds intended for recreational trails in a manner consistent with MPO plans and
programs; and expands funding eligibility to include maintenance activities; and,
o Reduces distracted driving by regulating as a primary offense the use of electronic
wireless communications devices and other similar distracting devices while operating a
moving motor vehicle.
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More details, additional policy positions, and key recommendations can be found here:
http://www.mpoac.org/documents/MPOAC2015_FINAL.pdf.
•
Small County Coalition: The Small County Coalition’s 2015 Legislative Priorities and
Proposals include the following as it relates to priority funding: The Small County Coalition
requests that funding levels for high valued grant programs and revenue sharing be
protected. These programs include – Small County Road funding, Revenue Sharing, Fiscally
Constrained programs; State Aid for Local Libraries; Support for Transportation Projects and
Programs; Transportation Disadvantaged; Regional Planning Councils, Housing funds;
County Health Department Funding and Rural Health Initiatives; Aerial Photography; Small
County Water Projects; Payment In Lieu of Taxes; and, Courthouse and other infrastructure
projects.
In addition, with regard to regional planning councils, the Small County Coalition adopted
the following statements:
o Regional Planning Councils provide planning and technical services and economic
development support activities to local governments. Regional Planning Council
assistance is especially helpful to Florida’s rural local governments.
o The Small County Coalition supports funding of regional planning councils.
With regard to growth management, the Coalition adopted the following statements as well:
o Ensure that growth management requirements in rural counties are not overly
burdensome and costly; do not limit or burden potential for economic growth; and,
include provisions for waivers of provisions if determined appropriate by local
government officials.
o Ensure that small counties have the resources to effectively assess the impact of growth
and development at the local level and in neighboring communities; and, enable funding
options for small counties to meet costs related to growth.
o Promote the capacity of the Regional Planning Councils to assist local governments
with planning considerations as deemed necessary by the local government.
A complete copy of the Small County Coalition’s 2015 Legislative Priorities and Proposals is
available at:
http://www.smallcountycoalition.org/documents/2015%20Legislative%20Priorities%20and
%20Proposals.pdf
LEGISLATIVE EVENTS
January 20-23, 2015:
February 2-6, 2015:
February 9-13, 2015:
February 16-20, 2015:
March 3, 2015:
March 4-6, 2015:
March 17-18, 2015:
March 25, 2015:
March 26, 2015:
April 21, 2015:
May 1, 2015:
Interim Committee Week
Interim Committee Week
Interim Committee Week
Interim Committee Week
Regular Session Convenes
Florida Chamber of Commerce Capitol Days
Florida League of Cities Legislative Action Days
Small County Coalition Legislative Briefing
Florida Association of Counties Legislative Day
Last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings
Last day of regular session
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Agenda
Item
Tab 20
Tab 20
Tab 20
Tab 20
Tab 20
February NEFRC Board Memo
Rodman Dam Controversy
January 26, 2015
Page 2 of 2
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
JANUARY 26, 2015
TO:
NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM:
BRIAN D. TEEPLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
RE:
RODMAN DAM CONTROVERSY
As you may know on January 10, 2015 the Florida Times Union broke the story that a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be signed on Monday January 12, 2015 that called
for breaching the Rodman Dam as mitigation for deepening the shipping channel in the St. Johns
River.
The article (attached) noted, “In a move sought by environmentalists and regulators for decades,
the linchpin of the agreement commits the JAX Chamber, City Hall and the Jacksonville Port
Authority to finding money and permission to breach the Rodman Dam in Putnam County, which
would restore the Ocklawaha River and its forested floodplains and infuse millions of gallons of
fresh water into the St. Johns River.
In exchange, the St. Johns Riverkeeper would agree to drop its plans to challenge the riverdredging project in federal court, removing a potentially time-consuming roadblock as JaxPort
scrambles to keep up with other ports along the East Coast in deepening its shipping channel to
prepare for the future of mega-cargo ships.”
Unfortunately Putnam County was not consulted during the process to develop the MOU, and it
quickly became evident that a substantial controversy was on the near horizon. At the direction of
President Eubanks I sent a letter (attached) on January 15, 2015 to the parties offering to conduct
dispute resolution.
I quickly heard back from Putnam County Commission Chairman Karl Flagg indicating a
willingness to participate. On January 22, 2015 I received a letter (attached) from JAXPORT CEO
Brian Taylor indicating that our offer was receiving due consideration. On January 25, 2015 the
Florida Times Union ran an article (attached) which noted that both JAXPORT and the JAX
February NEFRC Board Memo
Rodman Dam Controversy
January 26, 2015
Page 2 of 2
Chamber declined to enter into dispute resolution with the Council while Jacksonville Mayor Alvin
Brown’s spokesman “…did not comment on whether Brown would accept Teeple’s offer.”
It appears that, without all parties being agreeable to dispute resolution through the Council, we
have nothing further to do along these lines at this point. Please let me know if you have any
questions or need additional information.
Business leaders, St. Johns River watchdogs form
unlikely pact as fight shifts to Rodman Dam
By Nate Monroe Sat, Jan 10, 2015 @ 10:51 pm | updated Sat, Jan 10, 2015 @ 11:18 pm
[email protected]
View of the dam at Rodman Reservoir from the downstream side. The reservoir is part of the
defunct Cross Florida Barge Canal that would have created a passageway from the Atlantic coast
of Florida to the Gulf of Mexico.
An improbable partnering among Jacksonville business leaders, city officials and
environmentalists in the contentious debate over a project to dredge the St. Johns River offers
long-sought benefits for the waterway’s health as well as significant economic gains for the
region.
The agreement — hammered out in months-long, intense negotiations that continued late into
last week among groups with vastly different interests — will be unveiled Monday, but a draft
copy of the document provided to the Times-Union shows an effort aimed at boosting the
dredging project while giving river advocates and watchdogs a major victory of their own.
In a move sought by environmentalists and regulators for decades, the linchpin of the agreement
commits the JAX Chamber, City Hall and the Jacksonville Port Authority to finding money and
permission to breach the Rodman Dam in Putnam County, which would restore the Ocklawaha
River and its forested floodplains and infuse millions of gallons of fresh water into the St. Johns
River.
Business leaders, St. Johns River watchdogs form
unlikely pact as fight shifts to Rodman Dam
In exchange, the St. Johns Riverkeeper would agree to drop its plans to challenge the riverdredging project in federal court, removing a potentially time-consuming roadblock as JaxPort
scrambles to keep up with other ports along the East Coast in deepening its shipping channel to
prepare for the future of mega-cargo ships.
No one involved can guarantee this cease-fire will work.
No money or authorization has been granted to breach the dam, and the agreement — a nonbinding memorandum of understanding — does not commit to any specific path to accomplish
that goal.
Indeed, Jacksonville political and business leaders including Mayor Alvin Brown, University of
North Florida president and former mayor John Delaney and JAX Chamber CEO Daniel Davis
will have to hope their connections and sheer force of personality will be enough to navigate
through Tallahassee and provincial political controversies that reach far outside Jacksonville.
For starters, they will find themselves facing off against the politically powerful voices of bass
fishermen and locals in Putnam County, who for decades have — remarkably — held at bay
forceful efforts to breach the Rodman Dam, saying the 9,500-acre reservoir it created has
become a world-class fishery and a local economic boon.
More than a decade ago, the U.S. Forest Service ordered the state to remove the dam.
Former Gov. Lawton Chiles supported removing it, as did Gov. Jeb Bush, who is considered by
many to be one of the most powerful executives in Florida history.
Yet the structure has remained.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is overseeing the St. Johns deepening project, initially
considered including the dam in its plans to remedy potential damage from the dredging. But the
possibility ignited enough controversy for the federal agency to back away.
“I’ve seen Jacksonville’s business community do things that everyone said couldn’t happen
before,” said JAX Chamber CEO Daniel Davis. “I don’t doubt this is another difficult task. But I
believe if we join the environmental community and business community and sing off the same
piece of music … it’s a pretty powerful message.”
Breaching the dam — cost estimates have previously ranged $20 million-25 million — is
essential to keeping the Riverkeeper on board with the Jacksonville coalition.
And while the organization is cautiously optimistic on the agreement, it will continue to pursue a
federal challenge to the dredging project unless or until breaching the dam is finalized.
Business leaders, St. Johns River watchdogs form
unlikely pact as fight shifts to Rodman Dam
“We are not giving up anything with this [memo of understanding] unless [breaching the dam] is
successful,” said St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman.
And while the arrangement could assuage many in the local environmental community, it doesn’t
address other skeptics who question the basic economics behind dredging the St. Johns River’s
shipping channel from 40 feet to 47 feet.
But the rare partnership between business and environmental interests is cause for optimism,
according to those who helped craft the agreement.
“This is a great opportunity,” Brown said. “The key is the ability to bring everyone together.”
DREDGING PUSH
Asked about the difficulty in overcoming controversy surrounding the dam, Brown said he and
other local officials have already moved further on the dredging effort than many thought was
possible.
“They said we couldn’t do it, and we did,” he said.
In June, President Barack Obama signed a $12.3 billion waterways and ports infrastructure bill
that included authorization to dredge JaxPort’s shipping channel. It was an important step but far
from the last as city leaders must now find money to pay for the substantial local share of the
nearly $700 million price tag as well as heavily lobby congressional leaders and the White House
to include the JaxPort project in future budgets.
JaxPort wants to dredge its harbor in response to a deepened Panama Canal that will open next
year and will be able to accommodate mega-ships. The port wants to dredge the 40-foot St. Johns
River to a 47-foot depth, which it says will help Jacksonville remain a competitive shipping
destination as those larger ships hit the water.
Environmental advocates say deepening could damage the St. Johns River by increasing salinity
levels to a point that threatens important wetlands and sea grasses. And they say the Army
Corps’ decision to set aside about $2.9 million for mitigation falls woefully short of what would
be necessary to make up for the damage dredging would cause.
Rinaman and others have advocated for a plan that includes breaching the Rodman Dam and
restoring the St. Johns River’s largest tributary, which would pump hundreds of millions of
gallons of fresh water back into the river and — theoretically — offset salinity increases caused
by the dredging.
Business leaders, St. Johns River watchdogs form
unlikely pact as fight shifts to Rodman Dam
The Ocklawaha, the largest tributary of the St. Johns River, was dammed up in 1968 as part of an
abandoned project called the Cross Florida Barge Canal, a controversial, decades-long effort to
link the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico with a shipping channel.
The dam created a stump-filled reservoir that is recognized as a top bass fishing spot in the
Southeast.
It’s also created an enduring controversy.
FOR AND AGAINST
Local environmental voices were not alone in pushing the Army Corps to adopt a mitigation plan
that included breaching Rodman.
“… It is our position that removal of the dam infrastructure and restoration of the Ocklawaha
River would result in substantial downstream and upstream benefits for water quality, recreation
and endangered species,” a U.S. Department of Agriculture administrator wrote to the Army
Corps in July 2013.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration told the Army Corps it supports further
consideration of restoring the Ocklawaha, which it also notes has been “studied by state and
federal agencies in great detail and at great expense.”
But the Army Corps also got dozens of letters from writers around the country making
passionate pleas to keep the dam in place.
“… We would be devastated to see the Rodman disappear,” said one Kentucky writer. “It has
become a hub for many of us to enjoy central Florida, renew friendships, strengthen bonds with
sons and daughters and treat great customers to an experience of a lifetime. By accident or by
design you have created a state treasure.”
Supporters often invoke environmental sensibilities of their own to argue for the dam’s
continued presence.
“The St. Johns River, the Ocklawaha River, the Rodman Reservoir and the Ocala National Forest
and Wildlife Management Area are some of the most unique and beautiful outdoor recreational
areas in the United States,” another supporter wrote. “I believe it would be a travesty to destroy
or alter them in any way that would negatively impact the birds, fish, manatees and all the other
wild life that is supported within that ecosystem.”
In the end, the Army Corps ruled out breaching the dam, noting the potential benefits but finding
the “economic and social effects of the project are complex and controversial.”
Business leaders, St. Johns River watchdogs form
unlikely pact as fight shifts to Rodman Dam
LOCAL LOYALTIES
John Thrasher, the region’s former senator and current president at Florida State University, said
there are reasonable people on both sides of the argument, but he was a staunch supporter of
keeping the Rodman Dam in place during his time in Tallahassee.
“If I was still in the Legislature, I’d still be supporting the folks who want to retain the Rodman,”
Thrasher said. “It’s pretty cut and dried to me.”
It’s an often-repeated rumor that Thrasher made a deathbed promise he would protect the dam to
the late Jacksonville state Sen. Jim King, one of Rodman’s biggest supporters — Thrasher said
that story is not true.
But it’s not hard to see where local loyalties lie in Putnam County.
State Rep. Ronald “Doc” Renuart, R-Ponte Vedra Beach, and Rep. Travis Hutson, R-Elkton, are
both running to replace Thrasher in the state Senate. Both are firm supporters of keeping the
Rodman Dam.
“Representative Hutson believes the Rodman Dam should remain, as it provides sports and
recreation in the area, and should be preserved for that purpose for residents and tourists alike to
utilize,” Hutson’s campaign said in a statement. “He has also personally fished and boated
there.”
Renuart said removing the dam would disrupt an ecosystem that has adapted to its presence, and
he was critical of any efforts to tie a Putnam County issue to a Jacksonville discussion about
dredging.
“There are a lot of people in Putnam that rely on the reservoir, either on fishing or related
businesses,” he said. “I don’t see a good reason to disrupt that.”
This time, Rinaman and her allies will have Jacksonville’s top political leadership helping push
to breach the dam, a prospect that’s left her cautiously optimistic.’
“There’s a high hurdle to be crossed,” she said. “But there are many folks that want to see the
Ocklawaha River restored as it once was.”
RIVER’S FUTURE
The agreement also lays out the framework for the coalition to pursue future money and
resources to improve the health of the St. Johns River, though it’s scant on details and not a
make-or-break provision of the accord.
Business leaders, St. Johns River watchdogs form
unlikely pact as fight shifts to Rodman Dam
The document says the parties will engage with “key stakeholders, including, without limitation,
federal, state, county, municipal and academic partners.” Mark Middlebrook, executive director
of the St. Johns River Alliance, which represents counties along the 310-mile St. Johns, said the
goal would be to find sustainable federal, state and local funding for river-improvement efforts
— like nutrient reduction.
Though there are many more steps to take on that front, Middlebrook is encouraged.
“The fact that the chamber of commerce is stepping up and taking a proactive view of the St.
Johns River’s health is a really, really important piece of this conversation,” he said. “When you
look at all the efforts in the past, we had agencies, we had nonprofits, we had stakeholders, but
we never really had the business community engaged in the health of the river.”
Nate Monroe: (904) 359-4289