LOCAL PLANNING

Local Government Technical Assistance

The Council provides technical assistance to all local governments in the Region to meet the requirements of the Florida Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act. Council staff attends workshops and seminars throughout the year to stay abreast of the latest information on new requirements and programs for the Region's local governments.

The Council is contracted by several local governments in the Region for preparation, adoption and submittal requirements for comprehensive plan amendments; Evaluation and Appraisal Reports (EAR); zoning amendments; land development regulation modifications; site plan review; and other growth management related activities.

The Council can also provide downtown redevelopment planning assistance for local governments in the Region. Council staff provides support to the City of Williston and its Community Redevelopment Agency and recently was awarded a contract by the City to prepare its Community Redevelopment Plan. Additional information regarding redevelopment activities can be found in the Economic Development and Community Redevelopment sections of this website.

Use of WRPC Services Equals Cost and Time Savings to Local Governments!

• Local governments can avail themselves of significant cost and time savings by foregoing the request for proposals process and directly contracting with the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council (F.S. Chapter 186) for services not covered under the Consultant's Competitive Negotiations Act (F.S. Chapter 287.055) such as those requiring professional seal.
  
  Additional benefits include:

• Member local governments can enjoy a return on dues investment through the provision of discounted services.
• The WRPC is an agency with over 35 years of continuous professional multi-disciplinary planning experience.
• Many WRPC professional staff members have project management experience, post secondary advanced degrees, and unique areas of specialization applicable to local government needs.
• WRPC staff have a unique knowledge of federal, state, and local issues and opportunities which may impact a local government's particular project.
• The WRPC offers a mediation and dispute resolution platform between local governments and federal and state agencies.
• The WRPC, as a non-profit organization can provide services to local governments at more than competitive rates. The WRPC has good access to federal and state funds used for general technical assistance.