2/9/1993 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

application- package, which was submitted in December. Jim Campagna of EDA informed the County on January 21st that there was no money available for a Title III grant, but the County could apply for a 302(A) planning grant. He also told County staff that the grant and proposed work program looked good, but the amount of money requested was insufficient to do the identified work. Mr. Campagna suggested that the County apply for $50,000 in grant funds and use the money to hire a full-time planner dedicated to economic development. Further, the County should hire an additional full- time planner at a later date. Mr. Campagna was very emphatic that, if the County did not agree with these conditions, no grant would be forthcoming. Staff feels that the County is too small and does not have enough work to keep one or two full-time planners busy. Commissioner Eggert felt frustrated because the information was contrary to information previously provided to the County. Ms. Orlowski stated that she spoke with Mr. Day in early January and was told that Indian River County was in line for a $24,000 planning grant to hire someone to assist the County with technical research. She added that she would speak to them again, because her understanding was that the Department of Commerce recommended that the County hire someone to do the technical research and that the person could be an_outside consultant. Congressman Bacchus suggested that the County let his staff know immediately when this sort of thing happens so they can help cut through the red tape. Commissioner Eggert asked about the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficient Act of 1991 (ISTEA) funds, because she has read in several national magazines that ISTEA funds are not distributed to Florida. Congressman Bacchus responded that he voted against the ISTEA bill because it was unfair to Florida. Under the terms of that bill, Florida, over a five-year period, will pay out $1.56 billion more in federal gas tax receipts than will be received from the federal government for transportation. Florida has been a donor state since the mid-1950s and is currently ranked 56th in per capita transportation aid from the federal government. When the interstate highway system was in the early stages of construction, it may have made sense to have some donor states. However, the funding formula is not fair now that the interstate highway system is virtually completed. Senator Bob Graham, former Congressman Bennett, and he attempted to get the formula changed in the past but were defeated. He felt that the greatest need for transportation spending in the country is in the growing states of the Sunbelt, especially Florida, which is expected to rank third in 3 FEB 1993 BOOK 88 P4,F 896