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Agenda 09/08/2015 Item #11F9/8/201 5 1 1. F. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recommendation to consider a request from the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (SWFRPC) for a onetime assessment to fund a loan balloon payment for the real property at their headquarters. OBJECTIVE: To review the proposal put forward by the SWFRPC for a onetime assessment to fund the outstanding debt for their building in order to stabilize their operations. CONSIDERATIONS: The SWFRPC was created by an Interlocal Agreement between Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota Counties in 1973. All Counties in Florida are a member of a representative Regional Planning Council (RPC). The SWFRPC is legally mandated to review all Comprehensive Plan Amendments, review changes to existing Developments of Regional Impact, update the Strategic Regional Policy Plan, and serve as staff to the Local Emergency Planning Committee. In the attached request, SWFRPC has identified additional services they provide such as: "grant assistance, evacuation studies for disaster preparedness, environmental research and plans, climate change resiliency planning, economic modeling, and other non - mandated services. " Over the past four years, the State of Florida has not provided an appropriation of funds, and there is no clear consensus if or when funding will be restored. The SWFRPC received $106,400 from Collier County in FY2015 and is budgeted for $111,000 in FY2016. The SWFRPC is currently funded from member county appropriations and also receives approximately 60% of their funding from grants and service fees. Due to the funding shortfall, the SWFRPC is forced to evaluate options associated with a balloon payment due in 2016 for their building. They are considering the sale of their building, other cost cutting efforts, and the feasibility of a onetime assessment in order to eliminate their building debt. Their proposal, as outlined in the attached latter, is requesting Board consideration of a one -time assessment of $0.522 per capita across all member counties. In their letter, they are polling member counties to see if there is consensus before moving forward with the actual funding request. FISCAL IMPACT: The onetime assessment proposed by the SWFRPC is $0.522 per capita. Collier's estimated contribution would be $175,800.73 based upon Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) 2014 Population Estimates, and would be supported from the General Fund. Packet Page -391- 9/8/2015 11. F. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There are no Growth Management Impacts associated with this Executive Summary LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to form and legality, and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK RECOMMENDATION: To consider the request of a one -time $0.522 per capita assessment, estimated at approximately $175,800, to fund the building loan balloon payment for SWFRPC and authorize the Chairman to respond on the Board's behalf. Prepared by: Geoff Willig, Operations Analyst, County Manager's Office Attachment: 1) SWFRPC Special Assessment Request Letter Packet Page -392- 9/8/2015 1 1. F. COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 11.11.F. Item Summary: Recommendation to consider a request from the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (SWFRPC) for a onetime assessment to fund a loan balloon payment for the real property at their headquarters. (Nick Casalanguida, Deputy County Manager) Meeting Date: 9/8/2015 Prepared By Name: BrockMaryJo Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager, County Managers Office 9/2/2015 9:25:10 AM Submitted by Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager, County Managers Office Name: BrockMaryJo 9/2/2015 9:25:11 AM Approved By Name: IsacksonMark Title: Division Director - Corp Fin & Mgmt Svc, Office of Management & Budget Date: 9/2/2015 10:50:11 AM Name: KlatzkowJeff Title: County Attorney, Date: 9/2/2015 10:59:55 AM Name: OchsLeo Title: County Manager, County Managers Office Date: 9/2/2015 11:16:54 AM Packet Page -393- 1926 Victoria Avenue |Fort Myers, FL 3390 REAL P: 239.338J550 |F; 239s38.2fao|wv4mswhpc.org �*mf��[��na�� A��u�2��1S Leo E Ochs, Jr. County Manager AUG" � 9 2n Collier County n 3J99Tarnianmi Trail East, Suite 2O2 --- Naples, FL 34112-5746 RE: Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council Building Assessment Dear Mr. Ochs: As you are aware the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Counci{(SWFRPC) was established in 1973 by interiocal agreement pursuant to the authority of Section 163.01 of the Florida Statutes. All counties in Florida are e member of representative regional planning council (MPC). The RCP is legislatively mandated toreview all Comprehensive Plan Amendments, review changes to existing Developments of Regional Impact (DR[), update the Strategic Regional Policy Plan, and serve as staff to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEpC). Individually most if not all RCP's in the state are the coordinators of the federal Economic Development Districts, and coordinators of the Transportation Disadvantaged Program through stable and reoccurring grant funding. The SWFRPC has also provided grant assistance, evacuation studies for disaster preparedness, environmental research and plans, climate change resiliency planning, economic modeling and other non-mandated services to the Counties. The members of the RCP including many County Commissioners have recognized the RCP also provides an invaluable setting to facilitate dialogue and understanding of regional issues and differences. The setting has allowed for regional harmony and cooperation in matters where the individual Counties and Cities started with oppodng positions. All of the RCP's 23 members have benefited from this interaction yearly. The RCP has historically been funded through County Assessments via an|nterioca| Agreement, aState Appropriation, Grant Funding for specific tasks-, and Fees for Services to governmental agencies. The current County Assessment of$'3O per citizen was established in 1973 and remains the same today. Grant funding and service fees vary bw year but historically fund approximately 60%mf our budget. The RCP has always been dependent on a State Appropriation to all RCP's for additional funding. The State Appropriation has not been awarded for the last 4years. There isop clear consensus asto whether the normal legislative 'cycle #y elected officials will result hnthefunding being reallocated im future years. Due to the lack of the State Appropriation, the RCP has suffered a severe financia[Erises. The RCP has cut significant staff and expenses to maintain its viability. Additionally, the RPC has obtained several significant grants that have allowed mto provide services to the region. We continue to look for alternative funding sources in order to provide appropriate levels of service to the region. However, we are now to a critical juncture and must make additional cuts. At the same time a haUmom payment is coming due in2O16 for our building. Packet Page -394- 9/8/2015 1 1. F. 1926 Victoria Avenue 1 Fort Myers, FL 33901 P: 239.338.2550 1 E 239338.2560 l www.swfrpc.org F "S "747. REAL. S& The loan cost of our building ownership must be addressed. We must reduce this cost and are prepared to sell the building and move to smaller rental space, which will accommodate our reduced staff. This option has long term impacts and we will be faced with future staff growth issues and rising rental costs. Unfortunately, the economic growth of the region will likely increase future rental cost at a time when the growth is causing the RCP to increase staff and office space. One possible solution developed by the RCP Council is to pay the existing debt off and permanently reduce the cost of office space. This option can only be implemented by a special assessment to the Counties in the RCP. We are estimating the per capita cost is $0.522. All Counties will pay an equal per capita cost under this scenario. Elimination of the debt will place the RCP on firm financial footing for the foreseeable future and provide for our orderly service to the Counties using the funding streams we are receiving today. Should the State Appropriation be returned in the future the RCP will be in a position to increase services or lesson the per capita county cost as directed by the RCP's Council of elected and appointed members. The RCP Council has requested that t, as the current RPC chair, provide this information to each of the member County Administrators for consideration and direction. We would dike a response indicating if each County is willing to consider this onetime $0.522 per capita assessment to fund the loan balloon payment. A positive response at this time does not obligate the County, since all counties must agree in order for us to move this option forward. We will apprise you of the outcome of our request. While all options are being pursued, the RCP Council has made definitive steps to continue service. We have advertised the building for sale to gauge market opportunities and intend to act on advantageous responses. We are also soliciting proposals from financial institutions to refinance the remaining balance on the building loan. We are of the opinion that refinancing the loan will reduce the building cost and address some of our financial issues. Thank you for your consideration and timely response to this inquiry. I have attached a data sheet to assist you in your evaluation. Please feel free to contact our executive director Margaret Wuerstle for additional information and assistance in your evaluation. Sincerely Bob Mulhere, Chairman SWFRPC Collier County Governor Appointee cc: Tim Nance, Chairman Collier County Board of County Commissioners Packet Page -395- 1926 Victoria Avenue I Fort Myers, FL 33901 9/8/2015 11. F. P: 239.338,2550 1 F: 239,338.2560 1 www.swfrpc.org Charlotte Collier Glades Hendry Lee (Unincorporated & Cape Coral) Sarasota Total One time per capita assessment Packet Page -396- 164,467 336,783 12,852 37,895 653,485 387,140 1,592,622 $0.522 Please sign one option and return this form in The attached self- addressed stamped envelope: My County is willing to consider a one -time building assessment My County does not support the one -time building assessment Name ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: County Date Packet Page -397- 9/8/2015 11. F. 1 • l i r i# r CHAIR.......... Mr. Robert "Bob" Mulhere VICE CHAIR......... Mr. Don McCormick SECRETARY.......... Councilman Forrest Banks TREASURER......... Mr. Thomas Perry CHARLOTTE COUNTY Commissioner Tricia Duffy, Charlotte Co BCC Commissioner Ken Doherty, Charlotte co BCC Councilwoman Nancy Prafke, City of Punta Gorda Ms. Suzanne Graham, Governor Appointee Mr. Donald McCormick, Governor Appointee GLADES COUNTY Commissioner Weston Pryor, Glades Co BCC Commissioner Tim Stanley, Glades Co BCC Councilwoman Pat Lucas, City of Moore Haven Mr. Thomas C. Perry, Governor Appointee LEE COUNTY Commissioner Frank Mann, Lee Co BCC Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, Lee Co BCC Councilman Jim Burch, City of Cape Coral Vice Mayor Mick Denham, City of Sanibel Councilman Forrest Banks, City of Fort Myers Mayor Anita Cereceda, Town of Fort Myers Beach Councilwoman Katy Errington, Village of Estero (City of Bonita Springs Vacancy) Ms. Laura Holquist, Governor Appointee (Gubernatorial Appointee Vacancy) 9/8/2015 11. F. COLLIER COUNTY Commissioner Tim Nance, Collier Co BCC Commissioner Penny Taylor, Collier Co BCC Councilwoman Teresa Heitman, City of Naples (City of Marco Island Vacancy) Mr. Robert "Bob" Mulhere, Governor Appointee Mr. Alan D. Reynolds, Governor Appointee HENDRY COUNTY Commissioner Karson Turner, Hendry Co BCC Commissioner Don Davis, Hendry Co BCC Commissioner Sherida Ridgdill, City of Clewiston Commissioner Julie Wilkins, City of LaBelle Mr. Mel Karau, Governor Appointee SARASOTA COUNTY Commissioner Carolyn Mason, Sarasota Co BCC Commissioner Charles Hines, Sarasota Co BCC Mayor Rhonda DiFranco, City of North Port Councilman Kit McKeon, City of Venice Mayor Willie Shaw, City of Sarasota (Gubernatorial Appointee Vacancy) Mr. Felipe Colon, Governor Appointee EX- OFFICIO MEMBERS Phil Flood, SFWMD Jon Iglehart, FDEP Melissa Dickens, SWFWMD Sara Catala, FDOT SOUTHVVEST FLQRIDA REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL STAFF MARGARET WUERSTLE. ......... EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VACANT........ LEGAL COUi`'SEL James Beever Rebekah Harp Jennifer Pellechio Nichole Gwinnett Charles Kammerer Timothy Walker Updated 8/11 /2015 Packet Page -398-