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MTPO votes to exercise 60‑day termination of RPC staff services, forms steering committee to manage transition
Summary
The Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization voted Oct. 7 to exercise a 60‑day termination notice on its staff services agreement with the Regional Planning Council, empowering a steering committee to develop a transition plan and work with FDOT and consultants to maintain planning services.
The Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization voted Oct. 7 to exercise the 60‑day termination clause of its staff services agreement with the Regional Planning Council and charged a five‑member steering committee with producing a transition plan.
The action follows board discussion about whether to continue relying on the RPC for staffing or to contract separate general planning consultant services. A committee member moved to “exercise the 60‑day termination notice with the Regional Planning Council, ask the steering committee to bring back recommendations at the next meeting, working with DOT and the Regional Planning Council.” The motion passed on a voice vote.
The steering committee—comprised of two county commissioners, two city commissioners and the MTPO chair—will work with county staff, FDOT and potential consultants on options for interim and long‑term planning support. Allison Moss, transportation planning manager for the county, told the board the MTPO can lean on FDOT’s general planning consultant on an on‑call basis without a formal interlocal agreement, which could reduce the risk of service gaps during transition.
FDOT District planning manager Akaya Brown said the department is willing to provide consultant services during the transition but noted that doing so while a contract with the RPC remains in force could constitute duplicative efforts unless the contract is amended or terminated. Corbin Hansen, assistant county attorney, asked the board to authorize the chair to take whatever action—letter or resolution—is necessary to effectuate the termination notice; the board added that direction to the motion.
Board members said they expect the steering committee to return recommendations quickly; several members urged monthly MTPO meetings during the transition to avoid gaps in required planning work. The chair directed staff to schedule steering‑committee meetings and to return recommended transition options at the next full board meeting.
Next steps: the steering committee will convene, staff will work with FDOT and the RPC on an actionable plan, and the board will review the committee’s recommendations at its next MTPO meeting.
