* The History of VCOG *

Serious consideration of the need for area-wide planning began in 1966 with the creation of the Volusia Area Planning Commission. The principal purposes of the Commission were to assist the County and its municipalities in establishing coordinated, comprehensive planning programs; establishing mutual goals and objectives; aiding in the formulation of generalized land use plans and thoroughfare plans; and providing a forum to help solve common problems. The Commission’s staff salaries and operating costs were financed through a per capita assessment of member governments and limited use of the “701” Federal planning funds.

VCOG was created in January, 1970 under the authority of Chapter 163, Part I, Laws of Florida and replaced the Volusia Area Planning Commission in an effort to form an area-wide planning organization that had a greater potential for plan and program implementation. The goals and work program of the Volusia Area Planning Commission were assumed by VCOG, and each chief-elected official (or duly appointed elected representative) represents a governmental body.

Beginning October 1, 1973, the VCOG Planning staff became County employees and were assigned to the Planning and Development Department. The County Charter, adopted in November, 1970, required that such a department be created. The County and VCOG approved an Interlocal Agreement that enabled the County Planning staff to also serve as the VCOG staff. In addition, VCOG provided staff to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) through an Interlocal Agreement executed between these two bodies. These agreements avoided duplication of professional planning staff services while maintaining a high degree of intergovernmental planning coordination.

In 1989, VCOG became self-governing. VCOG continued to provide staff to the MPO and beginning in 1991 provided staff to the Volusia City-County Water Supply Cooperative. Funds for the MPO currently come from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (TD), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Volusia County. Funding comes from members’ assessments and the St. Johns River Water Management District for the Water Authority of Volusia (WAV) which was established in October 2003; the preceding organization which was dissolved in 2003 was the Volusian Water Alliance which had evolved from the Volusia City-County Water Supply Cooperative. VCOG receives its funds from member assessments.

In 1995 VCOG was incorporated as a non-profit corporation conducting business as VCOG, Inc. VCOG has a wide range of responsibilities, which includes providing administrative services and performing meeting functions for the Volusia League of Cities, the Unified Code Committee, Fire-EMS Committees, FESS and Smart Growth Implementations. Some services that VCOG provides to its members are research and information, legislative advocacy and area-wide intergovernmental programs as directed by the VCOG Governing Board.

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