Regional Planning Councils

Regional Planning Councils (RPCs) are quasi-governmental organizations that, up until 2010, were designated by Florida law (Ch. 186, Florida Statutes) to address problems and plan solutions that are of greater-than-local concern or scope, and are to be recognized by local governments as one of the means to provide input into state policy development. With regard to transportation-related issues, RPCs are empowered to provide technical assistance to local governments on growth management matters; coordinate land development and transportation policies in a manner that fosters region-wide transportation systems; review local government comprehensive plan amendments, evaluation/appraisal reports, and Developments of Regional Impacts for consistency with state and regional plans; and, review the plans of independent transportation authorities and metropolitan planning organizations to identify inconsistencies between those plans and applicable local government plans. RPCs are a type of Regional planning organization, specific to the state of Florida. Since 2010, RPCs have evolved beyond growth management activities to serve their local governments across a variety of program areas, including economic development, environmental planning, emergency preparedness, disaster resiliency, GIS/technology services, housing, and transportation.

RPC Products
In addition to various studies of the resources of the region, the principal product of each RPC is the Strategic Regional Policy Plan (SRPP). The SRPP identifies key regional resources and facilities, examines current and forecast conditions and trends (including expected growth patterns), and establishes regional goals and policies that guide a program of actions to address identified problems and needs. An example of strategic subject areas that a SRPP may address includes affordable housing, economic development, emergency preparedness, natural resources and regional transportation.

RPCs are also involved in a variety of other programs, such as economic development, transportation, housing, environmental planning, emergency preparedness planning, GIS services, statistical analysis, small business development and public health projects.

RPCs Composition
Each county in the region shall have a member on the Board of Directors of the RPC in its region and shall have at least one vote. Local governments and the Governor of Florida may appoint either locally elected officials or lay citizens, provided that at least two-thirds of the voting members are locally elected officials. There has not been a new Governor appointment to any RPC Board since 2008, and many of these seats are currently vacant. Each RPC's Board may be composed of the following members:
 * Local elected officials (city and county commissioners).
 * Officials appointed by the Governor, including an elected school board member to be nominated by the Florida School Board Association.
 * Ex-officio nonvoting members appointed by the Governor. Ex-officio members often provide subject-matter expertise to support RPC initiatives and decision-making.

RPC Organization
There are 10 RPCs in the State of Florida; one for each comprehensive planning district of the state:
 * Emerald Coast Regional Council, Pensacola
 * Apalachee RPC, Tallahassee
 * North Central Florida RPC, Gainesville
 * Northeast Florida Regional Council, Jacksonville
 * East Central Florida RPC, Orlando
 * Central Florida RPC, Bartow
 * Tampa Bay RPC
 * Southwest Florida RPC, Ft. Myers
 * Treasure Coast RPC, Stuart
 * South Florida RPC, Hollywood
 * Withlacoochee RPC, Ocala (Written out of existence by 2015 SB 1216; Fl Stat 186.512)

Concept of Operations
Florida’s Regional Planning Councils (RPCs) are government agencies recognized by Florida Statutes and created by Interlocal Agreements between local governments. The RPCs are available to assist in the planning and implementation of State, Federal, and Local Government programs. The staffs of the Councils represent a wide variety of skill sets and are experienced in program design. Working with the Councils through an agreement / Purchase order or contract will maximize your program dollars by ensuring your program is implemented in an efficient and cost effective manner.

The issues of public safety, education, health care, community and economic development and redevelopment, protection and conservation of natural and historic resources, transportation, and public facilities transcend the boundaries and responsibilities of individual units of government. Coordination among all levels of government is necessary to promote intergovernmental coordination and the effective allocation of resources. The RPC’s provide an effective mechanism is assisting the State in articulating its policies/programs at the regional and Local levels.

A public agency of this state may exercise jointly with any other public agency of the state, of any other state, or of the United States Government any power, privilege, or authority which such agencies share in common and which each might exercise separately. An interlocal agreement may provide for a separate legal or administrative entity to administer or execute the agreement, which may be a commission, board, or council constituted pursuant to the agreement, and a separate legal or administrative entity created by an interlocal agreement possesses the common power specified in the agreement and may exercise it in the manner or according to the method provided in the agreement. All of the privileges and immunities from liability and exemptions from laws, ordinances, and rules which apply to the municipalities and counties of this state apply to the same degree and extent to any separate legal entity, created pursuant to the provisions of this section, wholly owned by the municipalities or counties of this state, the membership of which consists or is to consist only of municipalities or counties of the State.

Florida's 10 Regional Planning Councils coordinate via the statewide Florida Regional Councils Association (FRCA).