Okaloosa County BOCC — April 21, 2015 — Approval of Memorandum of Agreement for Transit Cooperative — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: April 21, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Elliot Kampert SUBJECT: Approval of Memorandum of Agreement for Transit Cooperative DEPARTMENT: Growth Management BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The Board of County Commissioners must decide whether to enter into Memoranda of Agreement with the cities of Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Niceville, Destin, and Cinco Bayou to form a transit cooperative to jointly address public transportation needs. BACKGROUND: During the past several budget cycles, the Board of County Commissioners has sought financial assistance from the municipalities to help offset the costs of operating the County's public transportation system. In October 2014, the Board of County Commissioners approved a draft Memorandum of Agreement and authorized staff to work with the municipalities to create a transit cooperative through which participating cities would be able to have input into the design and operation of the public transportation system, and would be able to help fund operations. The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the Memorandum of Agreement. The cities of Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Destin, and Cinco Bayou have signed the Agreement. The cities of Mary Esther, Valparaiso, and Laurel Hill as well as the Town of Shalimar have declined to do so at this time. However, in order for the Cooperative to begin formal discussions (there has been an ad hoc staff committee since 2014), staff from the cities that have approved the Memorandum as well as County staff believe that it is appropriate to form the Cooperative now and continue to work toward bringing the other cities into the agreement. It is important to note that the Agreement does not establish a formula or methodology for municipal financial contributions to the system, but rather lays the groundwork for doing so. If approved by the Board, it will be necessary for the Board of County Commissioners to appoint one of its members as its representative on the Cooperative. OPTIONS: The Board of County Commissioners may approve or not approve the Memorandum of Agreement. RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve and authorize the Memoranda of Agreement with the cities of Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, Destin, and Cinco Bayou establishing the Okaloosa County Transit Cooperative, and that the Board further appoint one of its members to be its representative on the Cooperative. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator