History

The Legal Basis for Regional Planning

The Missouri Legislature enacted the State and Regional Planning and Community Development Act in 1965. This Act [Chapter 251 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (1969)] created the Missouri Department of Community Affairs. Among its many functions, the Department of Community Affairs assists local governments in creating solutions to their common problems. The Legislature also instructed the Department to carry on continuing research and analysis of problems faced by political subdivisions of the State of Missouri. The Department emphasizes the issues that metropolitan, suburban, and other areas face from changing economic and population forces.

Authorization of Regional Planning Commissions

The State and Regional Planning and Community Development Act also authorized the Governor of Missouri to create regional planning commissions if so petitioned by local government units. If the Governor finds there is a need for a regional planning commission, and if the governing bodies of local units within the proposed region include over fifty percent of the population within the proposed region, the Governor may then create the regional planning commission.

The State of Missouri's 114 counties have been divided into 19 regional planning commissions (see map). These 19 regional planning commissions have been joined together to form the Missouri Association of Councils of Government (MACOG) in order to explore common interests and improve their ability to balance their many roles

Section 251:300 of the Revised Statutes of the State of Missouri (1969), states that regional planning commissions such as the MidMO RPC "…may conduct all types of research studies, collect and analyze data, prepare maps, charts, and tables and conduct all necessary studies for the accomplishment of its other duties…"

Organization and Structure

The Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission (MidMO RPC) is a voluntary organization comprised of local units of governments [both counties and cities] within the six-county region. Members are assessed a membership fee based upon the population of the community. In addition to the money generated by local membership fees, the MMRPC (along with other rural regional planning commissions) receives funds from the State of Missouri to offset the costs of providing assistance to its members. The balance of the MidMO RPC operating budget comes from fees the Commission collects for administering various State and Federal programs on behalf of the counties and cities in the region.

The purpose of the MidMO RPC is to increase communication, cooperation, and coordination between its member governments in planning and developing policies and activities for the orderly development of the Mid-Missouri Region.

Our goals:

serve as an advocate for the region
serve as a resource for member government
provide a forum for local officials to discuss regional issues and concerns
provide professional staff to assist member governments
promote community and economic development