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Collier MPO board halts consolidation talks with Lee County MPO after CUTR presentation
Summary
After a Center for Urban Transportation Research presentation on a possible Collier–Lee MPO consolidation, the Collier MPO board voted to discontinue further consolidation workshops and participation in the feasibility work, citing unresolved governance and funding questions and lack of political will.
The Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization voted to discontinue further work on a proposed consolidation with the Lee County MPO after a presentation from the Center for Urban Transportation Research and extended board discussion.
The board's action followed CUTR's summary of a survey of 67 local elected officials (43 responses, a 64% return rate) on potential merger benefits and risks. CUTR presenters Jeff Kramer and Rob Gregg said respondents saw possible gains in funding competitiveness and regional planning but expressed strong worries about voting balance, representation and potential shifts in funding away from local projects.
Board members said those concerns were decisive. "I have no interest in going forward," said one commissioner during the discussion, repeating objections that the study had not provided concrete proposals on governance, voting apportionment or where money would flow. Several members called the consultants "hired guns" and questioned whether additional workshops would produce new answers.
Councilor Scott Schultz moved that the board "discontinue this process of consolidation and to discontinue any process that would have further discussion in a workshop." A fellow board member seconded the motion, and the board approved it by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded.
CUTR presenters said the study is a feasibility assessment, not a decision to consolidate, and described the next planned steps as workshops and a possible phase‑2 peer assessment to explore representation and funding models in more detail. Rob Gregg told the board the study could also be used to examine ways to strengthen existing coordination if the board preferred not to pursue consolidation.
Several board members endorsed that alternative and asked staff to return with more detail on current coordination practices between Collier and Lee MPO staff, and on process changes that could improve cooperation without formal merger. MPO staff also noted that a separate bill in Tallahassee concerning a broader county consolidation was reported as "no longer in play" by FDOT and would be monitored.
The meeting also included a brief FDOT update from Wayne Gaither on asset repairs at the US‑41/Royal Cove Drive intersection, litter removal totals for January 2026 and an announced March 19 open house and March 24 virtual meeting on the State Road 29 loop project. The MPO announced its next meeting for April 10 at 9:30 a.m.
The motion to discontinue the consolidation process stops further workshop planning tied to this feasibility study; board members who want improved coordination said staff should return with concrete process‑level recommendations if possible.
