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Regional planners warn state bill would shrink county representation on MPOs
Summary
Tri-County staff told the commission a state transportation bill would require MPO majorities to be elected municipal officials or appointed by municipalities, effectively excluding counties from counting toward that majority; staff plan to meet with state representatives to press concerns.
Staff warned the commission that a bill before the state House transportation committee would change metropolitan planning organization (MPO) membership rules and could exclude counties from counting toward the membership majority. Andrew Palmer told the commission the bill "would require a majority of members on an MPO to be either elected municipal officials or appointed by municipal officials" and that "in this bill, specifically, they cut out the counties."
Andrew said that change would force a fundamental restructuring of MPO bylaws and appointments in the region and could shift the financial burden for local match away from counties if counties were excluded from MPO representation. He said he and Diane planned to meet with representatives Stambaugh and Madison to discuss the issue and that the matter has statewide attention from other MPOs that are opposed to the change.
Commissioners did not take formal action at the meeting but directed staff to engage with lawmakers and regional partners to explain the potential operational and funding consequences.
