Agenda 01/26/2016 Item #11B 1/26/2016 11 .B.
EXECUTIVE IVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to provide direction and approve Federal Legislative Priorities for 2016.
OBJECTIVE: For the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) to provide direction and
approve Federal Legislative Priorities for 2016.
CONSIDERATION: Legislative staff, working closely with the Board's federal lobbyists,
Amanda Wood and Omar Franco of Becker and Poliakoff, created the attached list of proposed
federal priorities for the BCC's consideration, direction and ultimate approval. The items
included as proposed federal priorities are based on feedback from the County's federal
lobbyists, a review of federal priorities identified by the Florida Association of Counties (FAC)
and the National Association of Counties (NACo), and unresolved concerns and ongoing needs
from prior years.
Importantly, legislative staff and the County's federal lobbyists will closely monitor federal
legislative and regulatory activity, identifying opportunities and potential risks for Collier
County and reporting on the same. Particular attention will be given to funding opportunities
that promote specific BCC objectives, projects and priorities. In addition, expediting County
projects through federal agencies will be a high priority.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this executive summary.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated
with this executive summary.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no
legal issue, and requires majority vote for direction and approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners provide direction and
approve Federal Legislative Priorities for 2016.
Prepared by: Brandon Reed, Legislative Affairs Coordinator
Tim Durham, Executive Manager Corporate Business Operations
Attachment: Memo: Federal Legislative Priorities for 2016 (Proposed)
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 11.11.B.
Item Summary: Recommendation to provide direction and approve Federal Legislative
Priorities for 2016. (Brandon Reed, Legislative Affairs Coordinator)
Meeting Date: 1/26/2016
Prepared By
Name: BrockMaryJo
Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager, County Managers Office
1/15/2016 11:56:10 AM
Submitted by
Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager, County Managers Office
Name: BrockMaryJo
1/15/2016 11:56:11 AM
Approved By
Name: DurhamTim
Title: Executive Manager of Corp Business Ops,
Date: 1/15/2016 12:00:38 PM
Name: KlatzkowJeff
Title: County Attorney,
Date: 1/15/2016 12:16:29 PM
Name: ReedBrandon
Date: 1/19/2016 8:12:49 AM
Name: CasalanguidaNick
Title: Deputy County Manager, County Managers Office
Date: 1/19/2016 1:52:13 PM
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Co £1r CoTtntv
Office of the County Manager
MEMO
Date: 01/26/2016
To: Board of County Commissioners
cc: Leo E. Ochs, Jr., County Manager
Nick Casalanguida, Deputy County Manager
From: Tim Durham, Executive Manager Corp. Business Operations
Brandon T. Reed, Legislative Affairs Coordinator
Subject: Federal Legislative Priorities for 2016 (Proposed)
This memo outlines the proposed Federal Legislative Priorities for 2016. These items are intended to guide
the County's advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., but may evolve or be supplemented throughout the year.
The issues identified below are not ranked in any particular order, but each item requires legislative tracking,
on-going monitoring and consistent agency follow-up.
During the year, County staff and contract lobbyists will implement the Board approved priorities, as well as,
provide updates to the Board on significant or emerging areas of interest. In addition to items listed, County
staff and contract lobbyists will pursue speedy approval of pending items with the Fish and Wildlife Service,
Army Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, and other pending federal permit applications;
and actively pursue federal funding for projects that support Board objectives and priorities.
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Collier County supports pursuing federal funding that embraces local discretionary transportation infrastructure
improvements to State Road 82 and State Road 29. The regional facility on SR 82 has experienced a series of fatal
crashes and is a major commuter and freight corridor connecting Lee, Collier, and Hendry counties and I-75. Today,
Florida rates poorly in the nation based upon the rate of return for federal highway funding, getting back only 92t on
every dollar. Collier County also supports an increase in the share of competitive and formula funding provided
directly to local governments and Metropolitan Plannin• Or.anizations (MPOs).
Collier County supports legislation that would prohibit FEMA from de-obligating previously-awarded disaster funds
that have been certified complete by the state for at least three years. Under current law, FEMA can de-obligate
previously-awarded funding by reducing or canceling funds allocated. The de-obligation is an obstacle to sound
budget planning and timely allocation that directly impacts the stability of Collier County's emergency preparedness
and disaster recovery initiatives.
Collier County supports legislation that would clarify that local streets, gutters, and other stormwater infrastructure are
excluded from the definition of "Waters of the U.S." Rule. Collier County also supports requiring Federal agencies to
consult with state and local officials in identifying which waters should be federally regulated. The EPA and the Army
Corps of Engineers has sought to redefine "Waters of the U.S." in such a way that may result in the federal regulation
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of many county-owned secondary and tertiary systems.
Collier County seeks a mosaic of funding sources to enhance the county's Comprehensive Watershed Improvement
Plan, stormwater infrastructure, and aquifer storage and recovery project. The County seeks to secure a portion of the
funds to be distributed through RESTORE Act implementation in addition to pursuing other potential federal grant
and innovative financing funding sources.
-T:EA'SIBILITY STUDY fOR COLLIER COUNTY BEACH PROJECT AND INLET MANAGEMENT
Collier County does not currently receive federal funding through the USACE for shoreline protection. Most coastal
communities throughout the state participate in a 50-year federal grant program for shoreline protection with the
USACE.The USACE conducted a reconnaissance report in 1992 and indicated favorable conditions existed for federal
participation for shoreline protection within Collier County.In 2007,the Water Resources Development Act authorized
a Collier County Feasibility Study to determine the feasibility of carrying out a hurricane and flood damage reduction
project in the vicinity of the Vanderbilt, Park Shore, and Naples beaches. However, no funding was appropriated to
undertake this project. Collier County is requesting full funding be budgeted within the USACE budget to conduct a
feasibility cost share agreement, project management plan, and a subsequent feasibility study in the upcoming 2017
Civil Works Investigations Work Plan.The total cost of this Feasibility Study will be approximately $3,000,000.If the
Feasibility Study is authorized by the Secretary of Defense, Collier County's non-Federal cost share participation will
not exceed $1,500,000. Proposed source of funding is Tourist Development Tax (TDC). Additionally, the dredging of
Gordon Pass,which has been historically works of the USCAE, has been set aside. Collier County is requesting that this
vital maritime asset be reprioritized for immediate remediation.
ER T'AYJMlENT-1N: EU Of TES-(PILT)PROGRAM
Collier County supports the "Payments in Lieu of Taxes" (PILT) program, which helps to offset losses in property taxes
due to non-taxable Federal lands within its boundaries. The PILT program assists Collier County to provide essential
services for both residents and visitors of public lands. Such services include road and bridge maintenance, law
enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical, fire protection, solid waste disposal and environmental
compliance. Collier County supports robust funding levels for the PILT program to ensure vital services are maintained
as the county's needs require.
Collier County supports efforts to make traveling across Alligator Alley from Miami to Naples safer. On November 6,
2014, the public safety center opened at mile marker 63. There are more than 250 calls a year requiring emergency
response, mostly involving vehicle accidents, vehicle fires and medical calls. Research has shown that 73 percent of
the incidents on that stretch of Alligator Alley happen within 10 miles on either side of the station. The state has
committed to funding safety activities for 4 years, but additional funding is needed. Both federal and state funds will
be pursued to ensure safety efforts. (Funds may be available through the Bureau of Indian Affairs or United States
Department of Justice Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation.)
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Collier County's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was established in March of 2000 to support
redevelopment within the Immokalee area. The CRA adopted the Immokalee Master Plan, which includes the all of the
Immokalee Urban Designated Area.Through implementation of this plan the County seeks to encourage new business
and job opportunities in international trade and distribution, agri-business, ecotourism, recreation and entertainment,
and the construction industry and to develop and maintain an attractive, sustainable community with affordable
workforce housing, parks and outstanding schools. The County would like to partner with the federal government in
these efforts.
.TVERAILMESME,ST,ORNThON MERALINVES.TMENT, .
Collier County is a place of excestional natural beauty and vast preserves that •rovide the basis for our community's
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deep appreciation for and interconnectivity with Florida's unique environment. The Everglades not only contributes to
the quality of life for those residing in and visiting Collier County, but also contributes to the quality of life of the more
than seven million residents that call South Florida home. The County has an interest in ensuring that the federal
' government is following through on its commitment to fully fund Everglades restoration, the largest environmental
restoration project in the nation's history.
AVIUNIiCIP.Al:BONDS-TAX-EXEMPT STATUS
Collier County seeks to preserve the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds. Tax-exempt bonds are valuable tools for
Collier County that assists in financing the construction or improvement of schools, streets, highways, hospitals,
bridges, water and sewer systems, ports, airports and other critical public works. Recent Federal efforts to cap or
eliminate the deduction of interest on municipal bonds would significantly impact Collier County by increasing the
costs of borrowin• for local .overnments, likel .reventin• man infrastructure •ro'ects from moving forward.
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM SOLVENCY&IMPLEMENTATION
While Congress has passed legislation delaying the implementation of portions of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance
Reform Act of 2012, which would bring much needed relief to Florida's property owners, a long-term solution is still
needed. Collier County supports a long-term solution that can bring solvency to the NFIP without unduly burdening
homeowners, businesses and taxpayers.
r Action Pending Developing f.1 Completed
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