RD152 - Planning District Commission Biennial Report


Executive Summary:
Virginia has 21 planning district commissions (PDCs): voluntary associations of local governments intended to foster intergovernmental cooperation by bringing together local elected officials and involved citizens to discuss common needs and determine solutions to regional issues.

The Virginia General Assembly created the statutory framework for the creation of the PDCs in 1968 through the passage of the Virginia Area Development Act. In 1995, the General Assembly modified the Area Development Act through adoption of the Regional Cooperation Act.

One of the primary purposes of PDCs is to encourage and facilitate local government cooperation in addressing, on a regional basis, problems of greater than local significance. One important mechanism in helping localities to meet these goals is the requirement that each PDC complete a regional strategic plan with participation from local government bodies, the business community, citizen organizations and other interested parties.

In addition to the strategic planning requirement, the Regional Cooperation Act identifiesother duties of planning district commissions:

• To conduct studies on issues and problems of regional significance;
• To identify and study potential opportunities for cost savings and staffing efficiencies through coordinated local government efforts;
• To identify mechanisms for the coordination of local interests on a regional basis;
• To implement services upon the request of member local governments;
• To provide technical assistance to local governments;
• To serve as a liaison between local governments and state agencies as requested;
• To review local government aid applications as required by applicable state and federal law and regulation;
• To develop regional functional area plans as deemed necessary by the commission or as requested by member local governments;
• To assist state agencies, as requested, in the development of substate plans;