County transport planning board wants to cut ties

Becoming independent would come at a cost to cities, taxpayers.

Palm Beach County’s transportation planning agency is seeking to go independent — at a cost to cities and their taxpaying residents.

Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Nick Uhren presented the option to the MPO’s board at its meeting Monday, saying that although there would be up-front and yearly costs to municipalities, there would be long-term benefits to the MPO and the county as a whole.

The county has “hosted” the MPO since the agency’s inception in 1979. During that time, MPO staff members have been hired and fired according to county human resources policies and practices. Perhaps more vitally, however, is that with the MPO running as a grant-based orga- From traffic troubles to transportation trends, Kristina Webb will help you get around, whether you’re on a highway, roadway or runway. Find her reports in The Palm Beach Post. Send your tips and traffic woes to her at kwebb@ pbpost.com.

nization, the county each year provides “a line of credit for us to operate as an MPO” until the MPO receives reimbursement from the federal government, Uhren said.

Why go independent? “So when you tell me to implement something, I’m able to do it” without feeling the influence of the county in its position as host, Uhren said.

In the plan presented by Uhren on Monday, member cities would make a one-time payment to the

LANNIS WATERS / THE PALM BEACH POST 2012 Boynton Beach K9 Officer Joseph Crowder tracked down about two dozen criminals with Daxxx, a German shepherd. For some, getting to know Crowder was getting to know his dog.