As the city of Rochester looks forward in its comprehensive planning efforts, it's important to look back and acknowledge the impact of the Rochester-Olmsted County Planning Department's 40-year history.
Four decades of collaboration means the city's plan isn't being produced in a bubble. Instead, it's being built within a system that considers elements inside and outside Rochester, along with how they interact. That system — serving three distinct entities: the city, the county and the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments — has helped provide fairly seamless transportation options into Rochester and through the city.
While public transit and access for alternative modes of transportation still need improvements, combined city and county planning has helped create the system that has served the region well. There's no reason to think it won't continue to do so as transitions come with the comprehensive plan.
The same coordinated effort has helped limit growth beyond existing services and provided a balance between urban growth and rural development.
Richard Devlin, who has been Olmsted County administrator since the planning departments merged, credits the collaboration for providing a more seamless effort between the county and its cities. "A county board and city councils can kind of get crosswise," he said. "The joint effort helps them coordinate efforts."
Periodically, we hear calls for splitting the department or restructuring it to provide more city resources.
Rochester Council Member Michael Wojcik has been among those voices, suggesting the city take the reins of the county-led agency rather than splitting it into separate and costly entities. "It avoids going down that path we did with emergency management, where we said our needs are not being met, so let's just create two of the same thing," he said.
While we see need for change in the department, restructuring isn't the solution.
The primary reason is funding. The planning department operates on two primary local funding sources — the county levy and fees. The levy helps spread a portion of the expense equally among the county's property owners. A city-run operation could only tax city residents.
Under the city, the planning department would likely need to bill the county for expenses outside Rochester. Since city residents provide 76 percent to 78 percent of the county's property tax revenue, they would pay a more uneven share countywide expenses.
Instead of talking about splitting the department or restructuring authority, the solution is more likely to be found in bringing all bodies together and having a candid discussion about staffing and funding.
Under the city, the planning department would likely need to bill the county for expenses outside Rochester. Since city residents provide 76 percent to 78 percent of the county's property tax revenue, they would pay a more uneven share countywide expenses.
Instead of talking about splitting the department or restructuring authority, the solution is more likely to be found in bringing all bodies together and having a candid discussion about staffing and funding.
Rochester City Administrator Stevan Kvenvold, who was on the city staff when the planning departments came together, said the only shortcoming of the merger has been struggles with staffing. Still, he noted the system has worked well for 40 years.
The Planning Administrative Service Committee, which includes representatives from Rochester, Olmsted County, smaller cities and townships, sets the department's budget within county funding constraints and has suggested adding two staff members. Likewise, the city's planning commission has voiced unified support for added staffing, and Wojcik told the editorial board he believes six new staff members are needed to address city needs.
Without funding alternatives, added staffing will require budget support from the county board.
Planning Department Director Mitzi Baker has acknowledged long-term planning frequently takes a backseat to more immediate needs due to staff limitations. For the city and county to prepare for future growth, more emphasis needs to be put on long-range planning, especially with the city's comprehensive plan's implications for future zoning and transportation changes.
While the topic of staffing frequently pops up on the fringes of other conversations, it's time for it to be tackled head on. As Wojcik noted, "There's a lot of people that acknowledge the issues but are not necessarily pursuing solutions."
Baker says options for pursuing federal funds and enhancing the local funding structure could address the needs of all entities involved, but they will require coordinated efforts. "There's always more than one way to solve a problem," she said.
For 40 years, the city and county has proven it can work together to plan for better communities. Now, it's time that they amp up efforts and adjust to create a plan that will start the next 40 years in the right direction.
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Date:
2015-09-22
Source:
TBD
Type:
Comments
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State:
Public
