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Comprehensive Plan Intergovernmental Coordination Element <br />INTRODUCTION <br />Coordination among the numerous entities which affect land development in Indian River County is <br />essential to efficiently meet the needs of Indian River County residents. Because of the number of <br />governmental entities affecting the county, a substantial coordination effort is necessary. The <br />county, 5 municipalities, the School Board, the St. Johns River Water Management District, 5 local <br />drainage districts, and several other sub -county, countywide, regional and state agencies, authorities, <br />and taxing districts all make direct or indirect decisions influencing land development in Indian <br />River County. It is critical that Indian River County create viable mechanisms to establish and <br />maintain close working relationships with these agencies. All of these groups must work together to <br />avoid conflict, build cooperation, and provide improved and efficient service to the public. Conflicts <br />invariably arise if there is a lack of communication and interaction. Such conflicts can lead to a loss <br />of trust among the various units of local government and more importantly the public. <br />Intergovernmental coordination is also critical because the county does not control growth and its <br />impacts solely on its own initiative. As the county affects the municipalities and adjacent counties, <br />the municipalities and adjacent counties also greatly affect the county. <br />The Growth Management Act requires that the Intergovernmental Coordination Element show <br />relationships and provide guidelines to be used in coordinating the county's Comprehensive Plan <br />with the comprehensive plans of adjacent municipalities and counties, the plans of school boards and <br />other units of local government providing services but not having regulatory authority over the use of <br />land, and the plans of regional agencies and the state. <br />The primary purpose of this element is to establish coordination processes among adjacent local <br />governments and with local, regional, and state agencies. This is a recognition that effective <br />implementation of federal, state, regional, and local planning policies requires the identification of <br />all agencies with which Indian River County must coordinate, a thorough understanding of the roles <br />of each agency and that of the county, and the creation of adequate intergovernmental coordination <br />mechanisms to carry out policies. <br />This element seeks to accomplish those purposes through a systematic identification and analysis of <br />current and anticipated intergovernmental coordination issues. Within each analysis, deficiencies are <br />addressed and actions to improve coordination are proposed. <br />Through analyses and subsequent improvement of intergovernmental coordination, the county will <br />be able to identify and resolve present and future issues and problems which arise between the <br />county and other local governments and between the county and other levels of government. <br />Ultimately, the refinement of such a process should allow local governments to coordinate <br />comprehensive planning with other entities, ensuring compatible development and the provision of <br />adequate public services across jurisdictional boundaries. The coordination process is a continuous <br />one and should provide for an effective planning and implementing system. <br />Community Development Department Indian River County 1 <br />