Funding for Regional Planning Services
Seek an increase in
state funding for the seventeen regional councils, as lead
regional organizations, to assist local governments with more
community and economic development activities.
Additional funds will enable
regional councils to provide more assistance to Tier 1 counties
and other distressed communities. Current funding is $59,950,
including $10,000 in Non-Recurring funds appropriated in the
2007 Session.
The
objective is to make the $10,000 increase recurring in
the2008-09budget, and ultimately increase funding to $100,000
per region, or a total of $1.7 million.
Funding for Regional Water Resource Management
Seek funding for regional
councils to develop and implement multi-jurisdictional water
resource management planning in every region.
Interlocal, regional cooperation among local governments,
water users, and other stakeholders is recognized as the most
effective way to protect water supplies, maintain water quality
and address drought and other problems.
Regional infrastructure alliances take time and
professional staff, which regional councils are in a position to
offer. Regional Councils will
seek an appropriation of $1.4 million in the 2008 Session.
Working in partnership with DENR and other agencies to
secure funding, regional councils support policies and
legislation that foster regional approaches to water
infrastructure.
Funding for Rural Transportation Planning Organizations
Continue support of
North Carolina's RPO
program by maintaining current levels of funding and enhancing
the influence of rural areas in the transportation planning and
programming process.
Aging and Long Term Care Needs for the Older Population
Seek legislative action to ensure that
there is adequate funding for services and planning activities
for the 17 Area Agencies on Aging.
This aims to restore funding for
professional and administrative services to the 2001 level of
$57,900. In 2007 the
General Assembly added $300,000 to Area Aging Agencies funding,
raising each region to $45,424. The objective in 2008 is to
increase the funding by $212,000 (recurring) to bring it back to
the 2001 level.