Huntington County 35-1

Jurisdictions: Huntington County, City of Huntington

Topic: Establishment and running of a new department.

Date: 1989 December

Purpose: To set out the responsibilities of the City and County, and their respective Plan Commissions and Boards of Zoning Appeals, regarding staff and administration of a combined planning office. This agreement establishes the Huntington City/County Planning Department. (P. 1)

Function: Public works/transportation, Planning and zoning

Type: Collaboration (Pp. 1-3)

Organization: Joint agreement. Governing board. Single supply: County supplies space for the Department and handles payroll checks and actual payment of expenses related to running Department. (Pp. 1-4)

Services delivered: Department will recommend a uniform schedule of fees and charges covering planning and/or inspection matters for adoption by City and County. (P. 4)

Staffing and supplying: Minimum staff requirements for the Department are listed. (P. 2)

Financing: Costs of the administration of the Department shall be borne 50 percent each by the City and County. (P. 3) City will remit its share of costs to County. (P. 3) Fees collected by Department will be kept separate and remitted to the City or County, as the case may be. (P. 4)

Administration: A work program for the Department will be adopted each January by the Plan Commissions (City and County) after at least one joint meeting. (P. 1) Duties appropriate to the work program are listed as well as duties that are not appropriate. Priority in the work program is to be given to the City and County Master Plans. (Pp. 1-2) The Legal advisors of City and County will be made available to Department at no expense to Department. (P. 2)

The Huntington City/County Planning Board is established and has the responsibility of preparing and recommending an annual budget for the Department. In the event such budget is rejected, measures to be taken by City and County Councils are included. (P. 2) Board shall serve without compensation, but will be reimbursed for expenses. Board will consist of 8 members, which are specifically mentioned by title. (Pp. 2-3) Board shall select a President, who will have no voting powers, except in the event of a tie vote. Action of the Board shall be made only by a majority of its members. Board shall advise the Plan Commissions on projects. Board will establish personnel policies within the Department. Board selects the Executive Director of the Department with the approval of both Plan Commissions. Department shall be housed in the Huntington County Courthouse or possibly some other facility. (P. 3) Board will meet no less than semiannually.

Property: In the event of dissolution, City and County shall each receive back all then existing equipment contributed by it to the Department, and shall divide equally all intangibles, other equipment, and inventory of the Department. (P. 4)