Subject:
Title
Annual updates to Pinellas County’s Community Rating System Program for Public Information and Pinellas County’s Local Mitigation Strategy.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Receive and file of the Community Rating System (CRS) Program for Public Information (PPI) and the updates to the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS).
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
Summary:
The PPI was introduced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a new planning tool to provide a step-by-step coordinated approach to flood hazard outreach. The County’s purpose in developing this plan is to improve communication with citizens, and to provide information about flood hazards, flood safety, flood insurance, and ways to protect property and natural floodplain functions to those who can benefit from it.
The LMS is a countywide hazard mitigation plan that includes Pinellas County and participating municipalities, as well as several agencies and non-governmental stakeholders. An LMS is a plan developed to reduce and/or eliminate the risks associated with natural and man-made hazards. These plans must be in accordance with the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. Without an approved LMS the County would be unable to apply for various Federal hazard mitigation grants. The current LMS was adopted by the Board in May 2015. The LMS also serves as the County’s Floodplain Management Plan. Participation in the CRS Program requires the adoption of a Floodplain Management Plan.
Submittal of the PPI and LMS annual updates to the Board are required as part of the County’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) CRS Program. The County’s participation in the CRS Program results in over $5 million of savings to residents in the unincorporated area who purchase flood insurance through the NFIP.
Background Information:
N/A
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Renea Vincent, Planning Department Director
Rahim Harji, Public Works Department Director
Partners:
Pinellas County Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group Members (Consisting of participating municipalities, various governmental agencies, local non-profits, universities, neighborhood associations, and real estate and mortgage industry stakeholders).
Attachments:
LMS Annual Update
PPI Annual Update