Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Serving DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk Counties

Pat Huff Honored at Council Meeting for 18 Years of Service

Former City of Bartow Commissioner Pat Huff was honored for his more than 18 years of service and significant contributions to the Central Florida Regional Planning Council (CFRPC) on June 13, 2018, in Lake Wales at Warner University at the June Council Meeting.

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Commissioner Huff began his tenure in 2000 and served as Chairman of the Council from 2011 through 2014. During that time the CFRPC celebrated their 40th anniversary. He served on subcommittees including the Finance Committee, the Executive Director Search Committee in 2005 (Chairman), the Nomination Committee, and the Executive Committee. For nine years Commissioner Huff represented the Central Florida region as a member of the statewide Florida Regional Councils Association (FRCA) Policy Board and was President of the organization in 2014-2015.

“Commissioner Pat Huff has been a true ambassador for the services and programs of the CFRPC that promote regional collaboration in the cities and counties of Polk, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee” stated CFRPC Executive Director Patricia Steed. “His leadership of the CFRPC, and statewide through FRCA, has been invaluable. He will be missed by all.”

Commissioner Huff was presented with a plaque on behalf of the Council at his farewell Commission meeting in Bartow on May 7, 2018, and a framed picture signed by Council member and staff.

Pat Huff thanked the Council members and stated, “It’s been a pleasure and an honor to serve on the Central Florida Regional Planning Council for all these years. Very shortly after I was elected to the Bartow City Commission I learned about the Regional Planning Council and it made a lot of sense to me to look at the region as a whole and I’ve been here since.” He shared he would miss his fellow Council Members and the staff, however he looks forward to the opportunity to travel with his wife.

CFRPC April 2018 Meeting Highlights

Highlights from the April 11, 2018  CFRPC Council Meeting

Hardee County Activities Report

  • Lex Albritton, Hardee County Administrator, highlighted a number of improvements to the county including new housing options, a new fire station, an economic development project that provides fresh vegetables to the community, roadway and water improvements, and the opening of the newly constructed hospital in Wauchula.

Supplemental 5310 Transit Funds for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities

  • The CFRPC has received a supplemental allocation of $400,000 from the Federal Transit Administration for the Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) coordinated system which will provide services to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
  • MOTION: To accept Resolution 2018-3A granting authority for the Executive Director to receive and administer the supplemental 5310 funds, carried unanimously.

Transfer of Transportation Disadvantaged Designated Official Planning Agency (DOPA) Responsibilities

    • An update on the Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program Designated Official Planning Agency (DOPA) responsibilities was provided. The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization will become the designated planning agency for the TD program for DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties on July 1, 2018. A request to form a 4-County Service Area and Local Coordinating Board for DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee will be considered by Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged in May.

Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) Update

  • Staff continues its work on the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), which is a document that outlines all HRTPO activities and budget for the next two years. It is scheduled for adoption by the HRTPO Board on April 18, 2018.
  • The 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) which was adopted in 2016 is currently in the process of being amended to include all the work completed since its original adoption.
  • The Mobility Advisory Committee is being reconvened to work with FDOT and the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) on the Heartland Rural Mobility Plan (HRMP) update. The committee is scheduled to meet on April 18, 2018.

Competitive Florida Grants

Audit Engagement Letter

  • CliftonLarsenAllen has prepared terms of engagement for audit services for the FY 2017-18 CFRPC audit of financial statements of governmental activities.
  • MOTION: To approve the Audit Engagement Letter as presented carried unanimously.

Housing Issues in the Region

  • Housing is an increasing concern in the region in both urban and rural areas. Demographics including median ages, median home values, and median household incomes for each of the five counties as well as for the State were presented. View the presentation. 
  • Council members discussed and shared their local experiences and concerns regarding housing availability and affordability and how it affects the region’s employers and workforce.

Executive Director’s Report

The next meeting of the CFRPC will be at 9:30 am on June 13, 2018, in Lake Wales at Warner University.

View the Council Meeting Documents page for Agendas, Minutes, Presentations and upcoming meeting information.