Subject:
Title
Agreement for the administration and funding of the Pinellas County Floodplain Management Program Appeals process for approval by the County Administrator.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the attached Agreement for the administration and funding of the Pinellas County Floodplain Management Program Appeals process by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.
• This agreement is a partnership between the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller and County Administration through which the Clerk will administer all citizens’ appeals of determinations of the Floodplain Management Program.
• The Clerk administers a similar appeals program on behalf of the County for the Value Adjustment Board using Special Magistrates. This is the most efficient and effective way for the County to manage these appeals.
• This agreement has a not-to-exceed amount of $1,140,500. This expense is expected to be reimbursed 75% by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and 12.5% by the State of Florida. The remaining 12.5% of costs will be absorbed by Pinellas County. Reserves have been made available for Hurricanes Helene and Milton recovery and response.
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Strategic Plan:
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
A. The COUNTY will supply the CLERK funding to support the management of the FMO Special Magistrate process. The not-to-exceed amount of funding for Fiscal Year 2025 is $1,140,500, as indicated in the attached Exhibit A. In the event that the term of the Fiscal Year, or the Not to Exceed amount is approaching its limit, the Parties must either amend this Agreement in writing, or the Clerk may stop providing the services when the amount of the Not to Exceed amount is reached or at the end of the Fiscal Year, whichever occurs first.
B. The COUNTY agrees to coordinate with the CLERK as needed, including by answering questions and updating online information related to the FMO Special Magistrate process.
Background/Explanation:
Pinellas County Code Chapter 158 establishes the Pinellas County Floodplain Management Ordinance (FMO), and the FMO provides for appeals of decisions of the Floodplain Administrator by an independent Special Magistrate. The COUNTY has requested the CLERK to administer the FMO Special Magistrate program, including contracting with Special Magistrates and coordinating appeal hearings. The COUNTY will fund the program.
Fiscal Impact:
This agreement has a not-to-exceed amount of $1,140,500. This expense is expected to be reimbursed 75% by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and 12.5% by the State of Florida. The remaining 12.5% of costs will be absorbed by Pinellas County. Reserves have been made available for Hurricanes Helene and Milton recovery and response.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement is granted under the State of Local Emergency for Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton (Resolution 25-2).
Staff Member Responsible:
Chris Rose, Director, Office of Management and Budget
Tom Almonte, Assistant County Administrator
Partners:
n/a
Attachments:
Clerk and County Funding Floodplain Special Magistrate