What of planning councils?

After much discussion at a state budget subcommittee meeting this week, the decision to eliminate regional planning councils is still on hold.

In his proposed budget, Gov. Rick Scott slashed funding for the 11 regional planning councils, for a savings of $2.5 million.

Regional planning councils handle issues like roads and water affecting more than one county across the state, as well as address disputes between local governments within a county.

Senate staff told the committee that regional planning councils have other sources of funding and that, in one region staff looked at, state funding adds up to only about 10% of total funding.

After receiving mixed opinions on the value of the councils, Sen. President pro-tempore Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, said he would come back with a plan before the matter reaches the Senate floor.

“I'm here to save regional planning, not the regional planning councils,” says Bennett, suggesting a new approach that reduces the state's role in development review. “We're going to be looking at all the options.”