Southeast Regional Director’s Institute May 16, 2015 INHERITING A MESS, IRREVELANCY & DISENGAGEMENT Apalachee Regional Planning Council

ARPC established in 1977 Population Board of Directors Statutory Responsibilities Dues Structure Director and 9 Staff HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND CONT’D… My Background Began as an intern on Jan Hired on fulltime in October 2000 primarily as an Economic Development Planner Promoted to Senior Planner in 2002 after staff turnover Transitioned into Emergency Planner position in October 2002

May 2011 – Governor vetoes Florida’s historical legislative allocation of RPC funding Amounts to approximately $165,00 in funding for the ARPC Administrative assistant and GIS Specialist laid off in October May 2012 – Governor vetoes RPC funding again Majority of staff reduced to 32 hours per week beginning January of 2013 STORMY WATERS

May 2013 – Governor vetoes RPC funding for third time Director announces an October 30, 2013 retirement date Warning Signs of a Sinking Ship Record low employee morale Payroll rumors Overspent projects months before expected completion Rent Deposit optional Finance Officer very stressed Leadership MIA No guidance or training provided by ED STORMY WATERS CONT’D

October 31, First day as Executive Director Open the Books $805 in Operating Account Payroll was due in 2 weeks… $40,000 in past due Accounts Payable $60,000 budget deficit for FY Not including $15,000 Annual Leave payout requested by ED Not reflective of the recently passed budget HAPPY HALLOWEEN

November 14, 2013 – Held an emergency Executive Committee Meeting Shock and disbelief by EC Proposed Actions: Terminate Finance Officer Combine RLF Officer & Finance Officer positions Switch from GMS to QuickBooks Deny AL payout to previous ED Combine Emergency Planner and ED positions EMERGENCY MEETING

Board members united and offered support as much as possible Staff rallied to bring in additional work and do even more with less even while on reduced hours Florida RPCs helped in every way possible ARPC Outreach Commission/Council Meeting Tour RDSTF Exercise Dues Increase Constant Communication with bill collectors Annual Goals SURVIVAL MODE

May 2014 – Governor vetoes RPC funding for a fourth time October 2014 – All employees back to 40 hours per week November FY Audit reveals major problems with EDA RLF $334,000 missing from RLF Funds EDA Planning Grant and RLF suspended January $40,000 past due Accounts Payable balance paid off ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK

January 2015 Legislation introduced to eliminate Regional Planning Councils EDA requests program specific audit on RLF Federal guidelines require all funds to be repaid in 3 years April 2015 Passed legislation eliminates one RPC in Florida Program specific audit confirms $100,000 in misused RLF funds WE’RE STILL HERE…

Too much trust in a longtime ED by the Board of Directors Financial reports that were difficult to comprehend Finance Officer that was promoted beyond ability Same auditor used for 22 years ‘Installed’ Officers ED had essentially ‘retired in place’ for the past 10+ years Lack of communication from the ED to the Board resulted in disengagement and irrelevancy HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?

QUESTIONS?