Governmental Coordination

This section addresses pre- and post-disaster coordination between city and county governments in the prioritization of mitigation projects and the support of long-term recovery efforts. Procedures for assuring consistency between city and county strategies are included. Procedures for coordination between the local government, the state, and the federal government are outlined.

Importance

Governmental coordination refers to coordination with and cooperation between agencies in a local government, local governments in a county, and local, state, and federal governments. This coordination is essential in creating a workable local mitigation strategy.

When starting to develop a government’s local mitigation strategy, some of the goals, objectives, policies, and projects may conflict with those of the county, neighboring local governments, regional agencies and districts (such as school, water management, and fire), and even the state. Governments often have different interests, priorities, and needs as well as distinct constituents. These differing points of view may become evident when the local mitigation strategy is prepared.

Conflicts of interest can usually best be managed if decision points and potential impacts are reviewed between neighboring governments. Open communication between all units governments during the initial phases of drafting the mitigation strategy is critical and will help jurisdictions coordinate efforts toward the shared goal of hazard mitigation.

Expectations

To create a good foundation for governmental coordination, a list should be developed of all other agencies or governments that might impact your local mitigation strategy. These groups will need to be contacted and their input solicited when beginning to prepare a strategy. Representatives from neighboring governmental entities may participate in the working group assigned to develop the local strategy. Finally, steps should be taken to establish a process to review common problems and resolve conflicts that does not rely on the legal system.

Setting up a formal coordinating mechanism, through an agreement or memorandum of understanding, or as a function of the working group tasked to develop the strategy, with each agency or government that have shared or conflicting interests will help assure coordination. Designating this as a function of the working group is the preferable mechanism because it provides for direct interaction between governmental entities. This mechanism should also lay out how certain funds, such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), will be allocated between projects collectively identified by cities and their respective counties. The support of county commissioners and administrators will be critical to the success of a local mitigation strategy.

Guidance

The first place to look for material to support this section is the Intergovernmental Coordination Element of a local government’s Comprehensive Plan. In 9J-5.015(4)5.b.(b), the element discusses the need to incorporate the dispute resolution process of the applicable regional planning council into the local comprehensive planning dispute resolution process. This local comprehensive planning dispute resolution process may also include alternative mechanisms and could be adapted to address conflicts that might arise during the development and implementation of a local mitigation strategy.

The goals, policies, and objectives of that section of the Intergovernmental Coordination Element may need to be changed to meet the needs of the local mitigation strategy. The Community Rating System (CRS) Commentary Guide (1996) has been developed to advise local governments on how to achieve credit for lower flood insurance premiums through various hazard mitigation measures. The CRS Commentary Guide details intergovernmental coordination in floodplain management as one way to achieve CRS credit. The Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement process may also be a good resource for governmental coordination.

Governmental Coordination: Examples

Local Comprehensive Plan Intergovernmental Coordination Element

As one example of the need for intergovernmental coordination in local comprehensive plans, Ch. 9J-5.015(3)(c)6, F.A.C. requires consistent and coordinated management of certain bays, estuaries, and harbors located in multiple jurisdictions. In the same element, municipal and county governments have provisions that establish coordination mechanisms to review the impacts of a development proposed in the local comprehensive plan on development in adjacent municipalities, the county, and adjacent counties. This Element should be adapted to encompass long term recovery strategies. Contact: Maria Abadal Cahill, Florida Department of Community Affairs, Division of Resource Planning and Management, Bureau of Local Planning, tel. 850-487-4545.

 

Escambia County Intergovernmental Task Force

The Escambia County Post-Storm Redevelopment Plan was adopted as an emergency ordinance after the area was impacted by Hurricane Opal. In this plan, Escambia County created an intergovernmental task force. The intent of this task force is to encourage coordination between local governments during pre-disaster planning and post-disaster mitigation analysis and redevelopment. It should be noted that, in addition to city representatives, county liaisons are included on this task force. Contact: Mr. Steve Pitkin, Escambia County Planning Department, Chief of the Division of Planning and Zoning, tel. 904-436-9883

 

Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team Reports

After a presidentially declared disaster, an Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team Report or an Early Implementation Strategy is typically prepared; it evaluates the hazards in the disaster area and outlines mitigation measures as a condition of receiving Federal Disaster Assistance. The report recommends policies, strategies, and appropriate actions to reduce future losses. This process includes all affected units of government and may serve as a means of coordinating interests and future mitigation projects. Contact: Mr. Dennis Smith, Florida Department of Community Affairs, Division of Emergency Management, Bureau of Recovery and Mitigation, tel. 850-413-9958.

 

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Proposal Process

To achieve HMGP funds in the aftermath of a presidentially-declared disaster, counties and municipalities must work together to identify and propose mitigation projects to FEMA. These mitigation projects can range from buying private utilities to retrofitting public shelters to land acquisitions. Contact: Mr. Dennis Smith, Florida Department of Community Affairs, Division of Emergency Management, Bureau of Recovery and Mitigation, tel. 850-413-9958.

Governmental Coordination Guidelines

• Provide an inventory of state, regional and local governmental entities and the hazard mitigation functions (both pre- and post-disaster) that these entities provide.
  
• Describe policies of other governmental entities that may be at variance with the policies of the local mitigation strategy.
  
• Describe active inter-governmental agreements that may support hazard mitigation. [Include whether the local government a signatory to the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement.]
  
• Identify procedures to resolve conflict between governmental entities arising from the local mitigation strategy through the processes included in the Intergovernmental Coordination Element of each local government Comprehensive Plan.
  
• Describe the joint process to prioritize city and county mitigation projects. [This includes all hazard mitigation projects submitted for funding, e.g., those submitted pre-disaster to programs such as the Coastal Zone Innovative Grants Program and those submitted post-disaster through programs such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.]

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