§ 8.3. Relationship to Other Elements

As the main financial tool of the Comprehensive Plan , the Capital Improvements Element (CIE) is dependent upon the other elements pertaining to public facilities for setting standards and needs upon which capital improvements are to be scheduled and funded. The other elements state these standards and needs in terms of levels of service. Projects should be given priority in the CIE based on the levels of service for each affected facility. Other criteria used by Santa Rosa County to evaluate capital projects are: elimination of future public hazards, elimination of any existing capacity deficits, the impact on the annual operating budget and the Capital Improvements program, locational needs based on projected growth patterns, the accommodation of new development and redevelopment demands, financial feasibility and the plans of the public and private utilities operating within the County, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, the water and sewer providers, the Florida Department of Transportation, and other state agencies that provide public services within the jurisdiction of Santa Rosa County.

The Future Land Use Element and its accompanying Future Land Use Map provides the blue print and the strategies for managing the County's future development.

Likewise, level of service (LOS) standards are contained in the Transportation Element to determine the type of roadway section(s) needed to support a proposed development. For the most part, the Florida Department of Transportation contributes funding to these improvements.

The Infrastructure Element (which consists of Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge, Potable Water, Wastewater, Stormwater Management and Solid Waste), is directly related to the Capital Improvements Element. The impacts of the existing and the proposed facilities (drainage, water supply, sanitary sewer and solid waste), must be concurrent with the development impacts and must be designed based on the adopted level of service standards. The County includes the cost of such services or manages development related contributions to the costs of such services by identifying these improvements in its Five Year Capital Improvements Schedule .

The Recreation and Open Space Element provides guidance on the development of recreational facilities within the County. This includes analysis of current facilities and policies related to needs.

The Intergovernmental Coordination Element provides opportunities to improve both within the County and outside the County coordination mechanisms to provide mutually needed services to support development.