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9aaK 94 PnE 63 <br />DESCRIPTION & CONDITIONS: <br />Since its formal creation in April, 1993, the Indian River County <br />Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has been staffed by Indian <br />River County employees. This arrangement has continued now for two <br />years without any formal agreement between the MPO and the Board of <br />County Commissioners. <br />While no problems have arisen with the present staff arrangement, <br />there is a need for the staff services issue to be formalized <br />through execution of a staff services agreement. Such an agreement <br />not only establishes the responsibilities of each party; it also <br />establishes various policies and procedures to be followed in <br />conducting MPO business. These procedures address financial <br />management, contracting, and various other activities. <br />A copy of a draft staff services agreement is attached to this <br />staff report. As drafted, the agreement reflects policies and <br />procedures currently being followed by county staff in undertaking <br />MPO activities. This agreement was approved by the MPO at their <br />meeting of March 8, 1995. <br />ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS: <br />In Florida, there are currently 25 MPO's. Besides the Indian River <br />County MPO, three other MPO's were created subsequent to the 1990 <br />Census. <br />Throughout the state, MPO's have various staff arrangements. Some <br />MPO's are totally separate from local government, having separate <br />offices and staff. Other MPO's are associated with and staffed by <br />regional planning councils. Most MPO's, however, are similar to <br />the Indian River County MPO, with staff services provided by county <br />government. In fact, both the St. Lucie and Martin County MPO's <br />use county staff services. <br />With respect to staffing, the Indian River County MPO has the same <br />options as other MPO's. As a separate entity, the MPO can choose <br />to employ separate staff, or the MPO can continue the existing <br />county staff arrangement. From a financial perspective, the <br />present arrangement is the most efficient. Not only can county <br />staff be assigned to MPO functions when the need arises; but a <br />portion of county staff time can continue to be used as the <br />required 10W match for federal (PL) funds. <br />As reflected in its current work program, the MPO presently <br />receives over $214,000 per year in funding. To ensure that these <br />funds are expended in accordance with all applicable requirements, <br />the attached staff services agreement should be approved. <br />The attached agreement was modelled after the Palm Beach <br />County/Palm Beach MPO agreement. The draft agreement has been <br />reviewed and approved by the county attorney and is supported by <br />staff. <br />RECON NDATION: <br />Staff recommends that <br />attached draft staff <br />County MPO and th <br />Commissioners. <br />MARCH 21, 1995 <br />the Board of County Commissioners approve the <br />services agreement between the Indian River <br />e Indian River County Board of County <br />