THE BAY, GULF, HOLMES, AND WASHINGTON REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIP
Updated: April 5, 2009
BACKGROUND
The Bay County Transportation Planning Organization, and the counties of Gulf, Holmes and Washington established a new regional transportation partnership on September 28, 2005. This partnership was created by Interlocal Agreement using Chapter 163, Florida Statutes as its basis and written to comply with the new requirements for regional transportation coordination in Paragraph 339.175(5)(i)(2), approved by the Legislature in 2003. The new legislation authorized one or more TPO and one or more contiguous counties that are not members of a TPO, to enter into agreements to coordinate transportation plans and policies.
This transportation partnership was formed in response to a growing statewide awareness that transportation has become more regional in nature. Rapid growth and development has expanded across city limits and county boundaries. Roads that once primarily connected nearby towns now serve as major commuter routes and arteries for the delivery of goods to customers in expanding regions. The 2000 Census confirmed that one in five Floridians commutes to a job in neighboring counties.
The Bay, Gulf, Holmes, Washington Regional Transportation Partnership (RTP) was created for two purposes: (1) to implement regional coordination, which is a state planning emphasis area, between the Bay County TPO and the three surrounding rural counties, and (2) to establish the regional partnership required under Section 339.2819 F.S. to be eligible to apply for State Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) funding.
TRIP funds are state funds, available throughout Florida to provide incentives for local governments and the private sector to help pay for critically needed projects that benefit regional travel and commerce.
MEMBERSHIP
Voting Members (Executive Committee) are elected officials from the Bay County TPO and counties of Gulf, Holmes and Washington that constitute the RTP, as stated in the local agreement. The Voting Membership consists of eight members - with two members each appointed by the Member Agencies. Each Member serves a four- year term.
Executive Committee Members are:
Bay County TPO
Mayor Brenda Hendricks, Chairwoman
Mayor Ken Meer
Holmes County
Commissioner Jim King
Commissioner Ron Monk
Gulf County
Commissioner Billy Traylor, Vice-Chairman
Commissioner Bill Williams
Washington County
Commissioner Charles Brock
Terry Ellis
Non-Voting Staff Liaison Members are:
Keith Bryant, County Engineering Office - Bay County TPO
Don Butler, Chief Administrator - Gulf County
Greg Wood, County Administrator - Holmes County
Ted Everett, Director Washington Co. Chamber of Commerce - Washington County
MEETINGS
Meetings of the RTP are held as needed, at a time and place designated by the RTP Chair; normally scheduled quarterly on the first Monday of the month in January, April, July and October. Agendas and Actions Reports are posted on this website. Contact staff to confirm a specific meeting date, time, and location.
Bay, Gulf, Holmes, Washington Regional Transportation Partnership Agendas and Actions Reports
STAFF
The West Florida Regional Planning Council serves as staff to the Regional Transportation Partnership. Staff contact information: Sharon Burnett, 850-392-1104, e-mail sharon.burnett@wfrpc.org, mailing address: Bay, Gulf, Holmes, and Washington RTP, 651 W. 14th Street, Suite E, Panama City, Florida 32401.
ACTIVITIES
The Bay, Gulf, Holmes and Washington RTP activities include identifying regionally significant transportation projects that improve mobility throughout the regional transportation planning area. A regional network criteria and a regional transportation network map were adopted April 2006. These are periodically reviewed and updated as needed. The regional transportation network map was revised September 2007.
PRODUCTS
ADOPTED NETWORK CRITERIA (April, 2006)
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Meetings of the RTP are advertised in the Panama City News Herald, The Star, Washington County News, and the Holmes Times, and press releases are issued to local media. If time permits advertisements are also published in weekly newspapers. Staff is available to make presentations to community groups. Translations into languages other than English can be arranged if requested. Reasonable accommodations in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act will also be made upon request. Meeting Agendas and Actions Reports are posted on the website. Public participation is welcome in the regional transportation planning process. If you are interested in receiving e-mail notification of agenda postings on the website, please send an e-mail with your name and e-mail address to Sharon Burnett with BGHWRTP INTERESTED PARTY ADDITION on the subject line.