Item L2 L.2
G BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
County of Monroe Mayor Sylvia Murphy,District 5
The Florida Keys l'U � � Mayor Pro Tern Danny Kolhage,District 1
�pw° Michelle Coldiron,District 2
Heather Carruthers,District 3
David Rice,District 4
County Commission Meeting
July 17, 2019
Agenda Item Number: L.2
Agenda Item Summary #5726
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: BOCC District 3
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Carol Schreck(305) 292-3430
no
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval to include $50,000.00 in the FY 19/20 budget for Fair
Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM) for wind and flood insurance advocacy, costs in collecting
science and data used by FEMA in preparation of upcoming Monroe County flood map updates,
storm hardening education and Community Rating System (CRS) Outreach.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM) advocates for fair, equitable and
affordable property insurance coverage for homeowners, residents and business owners, which
protects property values and contributes to housing affordability in Monroe County.
FIRM was created in 2006 to ensure fair insurance rates for Monroe County and the Florida Keys
and was the first organized group of community activists to bring insurance inequities to the
attention of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation; to Florida's Legislature, Cabinet and
Governor; and to the Florida delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The grassroots organization has grown from 32 active members to over 3,000 and has received, in
addition to Monroe County, financial support from the cities of Key West, Marathon, Islamorada
and Key Colony Beach, Keys-wide Real Estate Association and Chambers of Commerce.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
• 12/14/2016 Board granted approval to reinstate unused funds for the creation of a wind
insurance mitigation form specific for Monroe County in the amount of$30,000.00 to be
administered by Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe.
• 04/16/2014 approved the expenditure of$30,000.00 toward the creation of a Monroe
County-specific wind insurance mitigation form. [Res 103-2014]
• 12/20/2006 [RES 631-2006] accepting $30,000.00 from the City of Key West and
$10,000.00 from the City of Marathon to assist in payment of legal fees on behalf of
FIRM with respect to issues relating to wind storm insurance coverage, actuarial
computation,pricing and other wind storm insurance matters vital to the citizen of
Monroe County.
• 03/15/2006 [RES 146-2006] to set forth actions to be taken to address windstorm
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insurance rates and recognizing FIRM for bringing countywide attention to the
windstorm insurance premium crisis in Monroe County and resolving County staff will
work with FIRM to coordinate FIRM's activities with the Board of County
Commissioners.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
DOCUMENTATION:
FIRM Budget Letter 7.2019
FIRM accomplishments for 7.2019
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date: FY 19/20
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County: $50,000.00
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds: ad valorem fund
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: If yes, amount:
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
07/17/19 NOT BUDGETED $50,000.00
REVIEWED BY:
Heather Carruthers Completed 07/01/2019 1:01 PM
Bob Shillinger Completed 07/01/2019 1:10 PM
Kathy Peters Completed 07/01/2019 3:16 PM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 07/17/2019 9:00 AM
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June 25, 2019
Tina Boan,Senior Director
Monroe County Budget and Finance Department
1100 Simonton St.,Suite 2-213
Key West, FL 33040
Dear Ms. Boan,
Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM) requests$50,000 in funding for fiscal year 2019-2020 to continue
our mission to fight for fair windstorm and flood insurance rates for the residents of Monroe County. cm
Per your request, a one-page outline of our accomplishments is attached for your review.
Monroe County's continued funding will help cover legal, research,travel and other professional costs CD
incurred in collecting and researching data and science used by FEMA in the preparation of new flood
maps and costs incurred in any challenge to those maps. Funding will also support legal, research,travel
and other professional costs incurred in administrative, legislative and legal challenges to wind
insurance rates. UL
In addition to research and advocacy FIRM devotes time and materials to conduct storm mitigation
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workshops,storm preparedness, and other mitigation related efforts throughout the county. FIRM has
been a partner with the county in outreach related to the Community Rating System (CRS),with FIRM
Board members serving on the PPI Committee and other aspects of the NFIP. Our efforts in the coming
fiscal year will also focus on informing the public of the implications of FEMA's new flood maps and Risk
Rating 2.0. '
We invite you to learn more about FIRM's mission, accomplishments and activities by visiting our
website at FIRMKeys.org. UL
We thank you for your consideration of our request and welcome any questions you may have. E
Best regards,
,.. .. , --
Mel Montagne
President
FIRM 1 713 Caroline St., Ste. C I Key West, FL 33040
305-294-FIRM (3476)1 info@firmkeys.org I firmkeys.org
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATIONS(CH43051&CH35195)AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM
THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE(800-435-7352)WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING
WWW.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT,APPROVAL,OR RECOMMENDATION BY
THE STATE.
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FIRM's efforts to fight for affordable and available catastrophe insurance for Monroe County have
resulted in well over$500 million in wind insurance premiums savings over the last 10 years and helped
achieve tens of millions of dollars in flood policy discounts through the Community Rating System.
FIRM Accomplishments:
• Ongoing windstorm rate freeze since 2017, alone accounting for approximately$15 million in
cm
Rate savings
• Beneficial Changes in Wind Rate setting methodology
• Ready-made community support structure required for CRS efforts
• Continuing work on CRS helping Monroe County to achieve a 30%flood insurance CRS credit
• Local building codes required in hurricane models
• Increased MC Wind Policy Limits
• Support for Key West and Monroe County Flood Level Related Height Referendum
• Repeal of Biggert/Waters and Passage of HFIAA
• Legislative and Administrative Changes related to: Ci
o Use and file
o Claims process
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o Premium payment options
o Builders Risk Coverage
o Continued availability of wind coverage for existing Coastal Barriers Resource Area M
homes
• Rolled back 20%2006 wind rate increase
• Derailed 32% increase for late 2006
• Capped ANNUAL rate increases at 10%
• On-going efforts to:
o Legislatively further limit windstorm rate increases
o Generate unique windstorm insurance mitigation form for Monroe County
o Reauthorize and improve NFIP
o Ensure new flood maps are accurate for Monroe County
FIRM 1 713 Caroline St., Ste. C I Key West, FL 33040
305-294-FIRM (3476)1 info@firmkeys.org I firmkeys.org
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATIONS(CH43051&CH35195)AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM
THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE(800-435-7352)WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING
WWW.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT,APPROVAL,OR RECOMMENDATION BY
THE STATE.
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