ARPC March ’09 Report

The following items of interest to the City of Apalachicola were discussed at the Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC) March 26 meeting in Tallahassee:

ARPC member and Tallahassee City Commissioner Debbie Lightsey expressed concern over a bill making its way through the Florida House of Representatives that would abolish the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and transfer their duties and responsibilities to the Department of State.

“What are we (local government) going to do when DCA evaporates, since some of our funding and programs run through DCA”, stated Lightsey.

Lightsey went on to say that, the City of Tallahassee is getting Neighborhood Stabilization money to buy foreclosed properties for affordable housing, a program and other similar programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program that’s channeled through the DCA could be compromised by the measure.

Former Franklin County Clerk of Circuit Court and ARPC member Kendall Wade cautioned members of the council to be concerned over another bill before the Legislature which aim is to take away certain duties and responsibilities that’s been mandated by Florida’s Constitution from the Clerk’s office.

Wade further stated that should the measure pass, it would have a serious impact on counties especially small rural counties. He suggested that council members contact their local Clerk to obtain information concerning how the passage of this bill would influence their communities.