§ 9.3. Key Interlocal Agreements and Other Formal Coordination Mechanisms

Formal and informal agreements exist between the County and municipalities, adjacent counties, federal, state and regional agencies, and independent and special districts. Coordination with these entities is required for the provision of information and services to the public. The following is an updated inventory of adjacent governments, school boards, federal agencies, state agencies, regional agencies, authorities, districts, committees and utility companies which provide services, assistance or information in Santa Rosa County.

9.3.1 Santa Rosa County Agreements with Federal Agencies

Currently, Santa Rosa County has two direct agreements with the federal government. One agreement is with the U.S. Department of Interior, Water Resources Division, for hydrologic data collection at Big Coldwater Creek near Milton. The other agreement is with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, for the Section 504 Homeowner Rehabilitation Program under the County's SHIP Program. Primary responsibility for this agreement is with County Administration.

The County also coordinates with the Air Force (Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field) and the Navy (Whiting Field). The Future Land Use Element contains information on the formal coordination that takes place between the County and military installations in the region, including the Joint Land Use Study program and its resulting regulations.

9.3.2 Coordination with Regional Agencies

The following section is a description of the regional agencies that provide programs, activities, services and information within or on behalf of Santa Rosa County.

The West Florida Regional Planning Council (WFRPC) is funded by local government contributions, state grants, and fees. The Agency performs many tasks, such as coordinating growth management, planning, and other regional issues which impact local governments and residents in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Washington, and Holmes counties. The WFRPC leads, or at least participates in, various intergovernmental coordination activities, including being staff to the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO).

Section 120.54 of the Florida Statutes requires each Regional Planning Council in the State to develop and adopt by rule, a Strategic Regional Policy Plan (SRPP) . The SRPP identifies key and important issues that will influence and direct the region over the next several years. The SRPP seeks to plan for and coordinate intergovernmental solutions to growth-related problems on local issues that have regional implications. As such, it is intended as a long-range guide for the development of its particular region, and it focuses on five Strategic Subject Areas , or elements, including Affordable Housing , Economic Development , Emergency Preparedness , Natural Resources of Regional Significance , and Regional Transportation . The standards included in the SRPP may be used for planning purposes only, and not as a part of a regulatory permitting process. However, this does not limit the authority of the Regional Planning Council to propose objections, recommendations, or comments on local plans or plan amendments.

This section ensures that the goals, objectives and policies contained in the County's Comprehensive Plan are consistent with the intent of those found in the West Florida Strategic Regional Policy Plan (SRPP). To do so, each County element is briefly discussed, with a summary of the SRPP's broad regional goals, and any related regional policy that requires intergovernmental coordination on the part of Santa Rosa County. This section further identifies County action on addressing these issues.

Formal Coordination Mechanisms

• Local Emergency Planning: The WFRPC serves as staff to the District I Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). With financial assistance from the State, the LEPC provides education and training for emergency fire and rescue and other personnel involved in responding to accidents that may involve hazardous materials.

• Intergovernmental Coordination and Review: As the regional clearinghouse for federally funded projects, the WFRPC reviews proposed grant applications to ensure consistency with the comprehensive plans of local governments and the strategic plans of the region. This process of review helps to avoid and/or mitigate potential impacts to other entities and it reduces duplication and conflict with other area programs. In the event conflicts arise or are identified, the WFRPC provides a voluntary dispute resolution program.

• Transportation Disadvantaged Program: Serving as the Designated Official Planning Agency for the seven counties in the west Florida region, the Council conducts planning studies in order to coordinate and increase transportation services to low-income individuals, elderly individuals, and persons with disabilities.

• Local Government Comprehensive Plan: The Council is responsible for reviewing local government comprehensive plans and plan amendments for consistency with other local governments and the applicable strategic regional policy plan.

There are several agreements with the West Florida Regional Planning Council (WFRPC):

• An interlocal agreement for service on the Council.

• An agreement for technical assistance on Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and Small Cities Block Grants (SCBG) for which the County may apply.

• An agreement for the review of the Santa Rosa County Comprehensive Plan for consistency with the Strategic Regional Policy Plan and for technical assistance in the development of the County Plan.

• An agreement to conduct the annual Small Quantity Hazardous Waste Generator Program in Santa Rosa County.

• An interlocal agreement for service on the Bay Area Resource Council.

The Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) is one of five water management districts established by the State in 1972. The Water Management Districts are primarily concerned with water quality and water quantity (supply), flood protection, and natural systems. The authority of each District is delegated through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), as well as directly by the Florida Legislature. The NWFWMD encompasses some sixteen counties, including Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, Washington, and the westernmost portion of Jefferson County. The NWFWMD is responsible for managing water and land-related resources in this hydrological region of Florida. The protection and proper utilization of these resources is promoted by the District through regulation and research.

Part of the District's regulatory responsibilities include the issuance of several types of permits. The most common permit is the Consumptive Use Permit (CUP): The CUP authorizes water use, allowing water to be withdrawn from surface and groundwater supplies for "reasonable and beneficial uses" such as public supply (drinking water), agriculture and landscape irrigation, and industry and power generation. CUP's require water conservation, reuse of reclaimed water (treated wastewater and stormwater), and setting limits on how much water can be withdrawn at each location in the aquifer. Individual homeowners with small domestic wells or smaller water utility services do not need to obtain a CUP, provided the District's water conservation rules are observed and irrigation takes place only before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.

The District has authority to declare water shortages and impose restrictions on water use. The District acquires land for flood control, water storage and management, and preservation of wetlands, streams, and rivers. The NWFWMD also reviews local government comprehensive plans. In addition, the District provides helpful technical publications and information on items of importance to water-related elements.

The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) is a regional multi-governmental body whose Board is made up of elected officials from Escambia County, City of Pensacola, Santa Rosa County, City of Gulf Breeze and the City of Milton. The TPO is responsible for transportation planning on the regional level, with preparation of a twenty-year long-range transportation plan, and the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), the five-year capital improvements program.

9.3.4 Coordination with Adjacent Counties

In addition to the County's coordination with municipalities inside the County, Santa Rosa County coordinates with adjacent counties. Escambia and Okaloosa counties share boundaries with Santa Rosa County. Santa Rosa County has entered into several additional agreements with sister counties, including but not limited to the following key agreements:

• Agreement authorizing the Escambia County Housing Authority to operate and issue bonds for single family mortgage loans in Santa Rosa County.

• Agreement with Escambia County, City of Pensacola, City of Gulf Breeze and the City of Milton admitting the City of Milton into the Bay Area Resource Council (BARC).

• Agreement with Walton County, Okaloosa County, City of Destin, City of Fort Walton Beach, City of Freeport, City of Mary Esther, City of Niceville and the City of Gulf Breeze creating the Walton/Okaloosa/Santa Rosa Regional Utility Authority.

• Agreement with Escambia and Okaloosa Counties to employ combined resources in response to events where great loss of life and property occurs, i.e., plane crash.

• Agreement between Florida, Alabama and Georgia to provide mutual assistance in the event of natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc.).

• Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement with other fire and rescue personnel for catastrophic disaster response and recovery.

9.3.5 Coordination with Municipalities

Santa Rosa County has several formal and informal agreements with its municipalities, the City of Milton, the City of Gulf Breeze and the Town of Jay. Most of the interaction occurs through various agreements and involves the County performing services in the corporate boundaries of the municipality or the municipality performing services in the unincorporated area, as described further below. In addition, the County has an interlocal agreement with the City of Brewton, Alabama to fund an initial feasibility assessment for a four-lane connector to Interstate 65 in Alabama.

City of Milton

• Agreement with the City of Milton for wastewater service to the Bagdad area.

• Agreement with the City of Milton for participation in the Local Mitigation Strategy process.

• Agreement with the City of Milton allowing some use of SHIP funds within the City limits.

• Agreement with the City of Milton for wastewater service to the County Industrial Park and the County Jail.

• Agreement with the City of Milton for the funding of an initial assessment for the Florida-Alabama Strategic Task Force (FAST) four-laning project.

• Agreement with the City of Milton for landfill leachate treatment.

• Agreement with the City of Milton for local option gas tax distribution.

Town of Jay

• Agreement with the Town of Jay enabling County enforcement of the Unsafe Building Code within the corporate limits of Jay.

• Agreement with the Town of Jay for payment of utilities and maintenance/custodial services at the Jay Community Center to house the Cooperative Extension Service, Tax Collector's Office, Jay Branch Library and the Elder Nutrition site.

• Agreement with the Town of Jay for participation in the Local Mitigation Strategy process.

• Agreement with the Town of Jay for local option gas tax distribution.

• Agreement with the Town of Jay for building code implementation and enforcement.

City of Gulf Breeze

• Agreement with the City of Gulf Breeze for local option gas tax distribution.

• In addition, the County has an interlocal agreement with the City of Brewton, Alabama to fund an initial feasibility assessment for a four-lane connector to Interstate 65 in Alabama.

• Agreement with the City of Gulf Breeze for participation in the Local Mitigation Strategy process.

• Agreement with the City of Gulf Breeze for the funding of an initial assessment for the Florida-Alabama Strategic Task Force (FAST) four-laning project.

• Agreement with the City of Gulf Breeze for building code implementation and enforcement.

City of Brewton, Alabama

• Agreement with the City of Brewton for the funding of an initial assessment for the Florida-Alabama Strategic Task Force (FAST) four-laning project.