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Comprehensive Plan Intergovernmental Coordination Element • Relationship Between the MPO and Couply Planning The Indian River County Community Development Department provides staff and office services to the MPO, but the MPO is a separate authority with distinct functions authorized by federal and state regulation. Among the MPO's delegated functions are to administer a coordinated, comprehensive, and continuing planning process for the MPO area. The MPO's designated planning area includes all municipalities within the county, and is based on population characteristics of the county and is established through federal, state, and MPO cooperation. The MPO is responsible for planning and programming highway, public transit, and bicycle/pedestrian facilities which serve the metropolitan area. Implementing the improvements through construction is the responsibility of local governments and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). In addition, local governments and FDOT are responsible for decisions related to traffic signals, intersection improvements, and roadway paving/resurfacing. In undertaking planning activities, MPO staff and County Planning staff work closely together. While County Planning activities focus on the unincorporated county, MPO projects involve the entire county, including all municipalities. MPO activities are coordinated with the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) through membership of four of the five county commissioners on the MPO governing board. Since the MPO is not a committee of the Board of County Commissioners, the MPO's actions are not brought to the Board for final approval. Special Districts As previously discussed, there are six independent local water control districts which operate and maintain drainage facilities within the county. These are the Indian River Farms, the Sebastian River, the St. Johns River, the Fellsmere, the Vero Lakes, and the Delta Farms Water Control Districts. Additionally, there are seven other independent special districts in the county. These are the Sebastian Inlet District (maintains inlet and keeps it navigable), the Mosquito Control District (sprays, and manages impoundments to control mosquitoes), the Hospital Maintenance District (funds indigent care), the Florida Inland Navigation District (maintains and dredges inland waterway), the Indian River County Housing Authority (addresses housing issues), the Indian River Soil and Water Conservation District (assists agricultural businesses with water conservation activities), and the multi -county St. Johns Water Management District. There are also two dependent districts in the county. These are the Indian River County Emergency Services District, and the Solid Waste Disposal District. Some of the districts have the power to collect taxes for the operation and maintenance of the facilities they operate. Other districts participate in a state funding program for performance of their assigned functions. To foster coordination between independent and dependent special districts and local general purpose governments, Florida Statutes Section 189.415 requires that each special district submit a public facilities report and an annual notice of any changes to the county in which it is located. The Community Development Department Indian River County 18