Subject:
Title
Annual update 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 the annual report and update to the Floodplain Management Program for Public Information (PPI) and the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS).
• The PPI is a comprehensive approach to flood hazard outreach and its purpose is to, improve communication to citizens regarding critical aspects such as, flood hazards, flood safety, flood insurance, and protection of natural floodplains, in a systematic step-by-step manner.
• The LMS is a countywide hazard mitigation plan. It also serves as the County’s Floodplain Management Plan. This plan must be in accordance with the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. Maintaining this plan, helps us meet the eligibility for Federal hazard mitigation grants.
• Both the PPI and LMS are developed through a multi-agency effort.
• Participation in the Community Rating System 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 Community Rating System Program.
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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:
Summary
The PPI is 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 the 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 of County Commissioners (Board) in April 2020. The LMS also serves as the County’s Floodplain Management Plan. Participation in the Community Rating System (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.
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Background Information:
N/A
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
Pinellas County LMS Working Group
CRS PPI members consisting of participating municipalities, various governmental agencies, local non-profits, universities, neighborhood associations, and real estate and mortgage industry stakeholders.
Attachments:
PPI Annual Update Report
LMS Annual Update Report