Council directs staff to start seven‑year comprehensive‑plan evaluation and appraisal report

Planning staff informed the council of a state request to begin the seven‑year Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) process for local comprehensive plans; the city must notify the Florida Department of Commerce by Aug. 1 whether it intends to proceed.

Miss Bernard explained the city adopted its last comprehensive plan update in 2021 and that several state statutes have changed since then, making a review prudent. Staff recommended moving forward with consultant procurement; the city manager’s office said consultant dollars are available this year and starting now would allow use of current funds rather than next year’s budget.

Council member (Dawe) and others discussed timing and cost; one councilor said the city is required to at least evaluate the plan and could notify the state if it chose not to proceed with a full EAR, but the staff recommended proceeding. A motion directing staff to notify the state that the city will move forward with the EAR process passed on roll call.

Staff noted the next step would be to issue a request for qualifications/consultant procurement and to return with a scope and schedule for council review.