Item B2 County of of Monroe BOARD OF COUNTY rY COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Michelle Coldiron District 2
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern David Rice District 4
Craig Cates,District I 71 Eddie Martinez.District 3
- Mike Forster.District 5
County Commission Meeting
March 17, 2021
Agenda Item Number: B.2
Agenda Item Summary #8019
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: County Administrator
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Lindsey Ballard (305)292-4443
n/a
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Recognition of County staff and Lori Lehr, consultant, for their
contributions to Monroe County achieving a preliminary Class 3 rating in the FEMA Community
Rating System (CRS), which will increase annual savings to flood insurance policy holders to $7.5
Million dollars annually beginning April, 2022, with an annual average savings of$522 per policy
holder. Cumulatively to date, the County has saved policy holders approximately $22 Million.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Monroe County received the attached letters from the Insurance Services
Office (ISO) indicating the County's recently submitted Community Rating System (CRS) score is
recommended to be a Class 3. This recommendation goes to the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) and will be effective beginning April, 2022.
The following table shows an example of a typical Flood Insurance Policy charge, with the newly
projected discount.
ANNUAL SUBTOTAL: 52.226.0A
DUCTIBLE DISCOUNT/SURCHARGE: 50.00
ICC PREMIUM: 556.00
COMMUNITY RATING DISCOUNT: SUS- aw vwoa
TOTAL: n,asaw
RESERVE FUND ASSESSMENT: $257.00
PROBATION SURCHARGE: $0.00
FEDERAL POLICY SERVICE FEE: S50.00
HFIAA SURCHARGE: $25.00
OTAL WRITTEN PREMIUM AND FEES: $1 015.00
Community Rating Discount 3S% mg $799
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANCES:
n/a
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
DOCUMENTATION:
Class 3 with Annual Savings March 2021
Unincorporated Monroe County to See Additional Flood Policy Discounts in 2022 Draft Report
Shows County as CRS Class 3
Monroe Pre Letter Sent
FL Monroe County 125129 D
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County:
Current Year Portion:
Budgeted:
Source of Funds:
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: If yes, amount:
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
REVIEWED BY:
Liz Yongue Completed 03/11/2021 1:54 PM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 03/17/2021 9:00 AM
Year CRS Class/%Discount Avg Savings Total Savings Cumulative Savings
NFIP Policy Annual
0/1/2017 Class 6/20% $233 $3,629,670 $3,629,670
0/1/2018 Class 5/25% $350 $5,135,345 $8,765,015
0/1/2019 Class 5/25% $350 $5,135,345 $13,900,360
0/1/2020 Class 5/25% 5350 55,135,245 $19,035,605
0/1/2021 Class 5/25% $373* $5,393,148 $24,428,753
10/2/2021-3/31/2022( months)Class 5/25% $373 $2,696,574 $27,125,327
GRAND TOTAL
PROJECTED ANNUAL SAVINGS
4/1/2022-3/31/20231 CRS Class 3/35%I $522 I $7,542,2684 $34,667,595
Increase due to increase cost of NHP Policies.
Yongue-Liz
From: Livengood-Kristen
Sent: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 11:12 AM
To: Livengood-Kristen
Subject: Unincorporated Monroe County to See Additional Flood Policy Discounts in 2022, Draft
Report Shows County as CRS Class 3
Monroe County
The Florida Keys
NEWS RELEASE
March 3,2021
Kristen Livengood, Public Information Officer
305-680-8226, Livengood-Kristen(dmonroecounty-fLgov
FEDERAL FLOOD POLICYHOLDERS IN UNINCORPORATED MONROE COUNTY WILL SEE
ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS IN 2022, DRAFT REPORT SHOWS COUNTY AS CRS CLASS 3
UNINCORPORATED MONROE COUNTY, FL—Due to Monroe County's efforts over the past five years in the voluntary
Community Rating System (CRS), most of the nearly 14,400 National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP) policyholders in
unincorporated Monroe County are expected to receive new automatic CRS premium discounts of 35 percent beginning
April 1, 2022.This is an increase from the current 25 percent discount. Originally thought to be classified as a Class 4,the
County will be designated as a Class 3.The CRS rewards communities that take actions exceeding the minimum NFIP
requirements to protect people and property from flooding.
Unincorporated Monroe County will join a very elite group of other communities in a Class 3 or lower designation.
According to the NFIP Insurance Manual,the City of Ocala is currently the only community ranked a Class 3 or lower of
the more than 250 participating Florida communities. Nationwide,only 14 communities ranked as a Class 3 or lower of
the 1,700 participating communities.
The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners has been extremely diligent in pursuing CRS program discounts to
offset rising insurance costs to Florida Keys residents and business owners. "I am so appreciative of our staff,
consultants,and volunteers that contributed to this huge class jump,"said Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron.
"This will be a great savings for our property owners."
Policyholders in the highest risk areas of flooding in unincorporated Monroe County,which accounts for about 96
percent of the policyholders,will receive the 35 percent discount.Some policyholders in the X Zone will receive
discounts of 10 percent. Policyholders who have preferred risk policies will not receive discounts since these policies
already receive low rates. Contact your insurance agent to learn specifics about your policy.
CRS officials sent Monroe County a letter outlining the preliminary approved Class 3 designation.The Federal Emergency
Management Agency(FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security will issue the final acceptance. Once accepted,
the Class 3 premium discounts will save policyholders in unincorporated Monroe County about$7.5 million a year,an
average of$522 per policy per year from the current Class 5 average of$373.
1
Monroe County entered the CRS program in 2016 at a Class 6 with an annual savings of$3.6 million and a 20 percent
discount to policyholders. In 2017,the County received a Class 5 designation with an annual savings of just over$5
million and a 25 percent discount to policyholders.To date,the County has saved approximately$16.5 million that will
now increase by$7.5 million annually if the County continues to maintain program and regulatory status.
The County set its sights on a Class 4 designation,which is no easy feat with hefty requirements, right before Hurricane
Irma struck the Florida Keys in 2017, requiring a lot of the work to restart.The premium discounts are based on a
complex formula that assigns points for more than 100 possible actions that reduce flood risk. The County, led by a
private CRS consultant Lori Lehr, increased its points by completing many new analyses and processes.
"The news of achieving a Class 3 rating for Monroe County residents brought tears to my eyes.Since my arrival in the
County, FEMA considered Monroe County to be poor performing when it came to floodplain regulations,"Assistant
County Administrator Christine Hurley said. "The road has been long and hard, but the professional County staff,
consultants,citizen volunteers, and our elected officials have elevated this County to be the best amongst other peer
communities that seek these discounts for their flood-prone property owners."
The County completed the following threshold items to achieve the lower rating.
• Repetitive Loss Area Analysis: shows geographically at-risk areas where mitigation techniques can eliminate
flood risk.
• Masterplan: includes sea-level rise modeling to predict future stormwater facility and infrastructure failures to
encourage re-engineering to maintain a resilient community.
• Development of a comprehensive Drainage Facility Maintenance Plan:used internally by county staff.
• Implementation of a requirement to elevate all new residential structures one foot above base flood elevation.
(Currently being considered by the State of Florida as a mandatory requirement in the Florida Building Code).
• Amendment of land development code to require all structures,even mobile homes in mobile home parks,to
meet minimum design elevation requirements when replaced.
• Updated the Monroe County Local Mitigation Strategy: include additional CRS requirements and CRS credit.
The process included organizing a 13-person committee that met for nearly a year to complete the Program for Public
Information.Thank you to the eight volunteer citizens who served alongside county staff as members:Alina Davis, Brian
Schmitt,Jay W.Hall, Mel Montagne, Melissa Grady,Michele White, Mike Maurer, and Rebecca Horan.These new
programs and analyses were submitted to the CRS Specialist Craig Carpenter and coordinated with FEMA
representatives.The nonprofit Fair Insurance Rates Monroe(FIRM)and the State Office of Floodplain Management
helped the County navigate the NFIP issues to become eligible for the CRS program.
More information on the local CRS program can be found at www.monroecountv-fl.gov/crs. For more information about
the NFIP's CRS program,visit www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-community-rating-system.
—30—
Attached Graphic: Example Savings
Kristen Livengood
Public Information Officer, Monroe County
Email: Livengood-Kristen@monroecounty-fl.gov
Phone/Text:305-680-8226
Website: monroecounty-fl.gov
Facebook:fb.com/monroecountvbocc
Twitter: @monroecounty
Instagram: @monroecountvbocc
2
SISO INSURANCE SERVICES OFFICE, INC.
CRAIG CARPENTER,CFM 672 HARTFORD DR.NW,PORT CHARLOTTE,FLORIDA 33952
PHONE(404)825-3003 EMAIL:ccarpen(er@verisk.cam
March 2, 2021
Loro Lehr
CRS Coordinator
2798 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050
Dear Ms. Lehr:
Enclosed are the preliminary results regarding credits for the Monroe County
verification to the Community Rating System (CRS).
At the present time, I have verified 3592 credit points for Monroe County. This
results in a recommendation that the community improve from a CRS Class 5 to a
CRS Class 3. Attached are a draft verification report and a draft credit calculations
worksheet AW-720 which contains an overall point summary. The information
provided is subject to acceptance by DHS/FEMA. The results of this verification
will become effective April 1, 2022.
Thank you for your cooperation during my visit. If you have any questions or when I
can be of future assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Respectfully yours,
Craig Carpenter, CFM
ISO/CRS Specialist
enc.
cc: Conn Cole, State NFIP Coordinator
Michelle Coldiron, Mayor of Monroe County
Roy McClure, FEMA Regional IV
IhOW COMMUNITY VERIFICATION
RATING REPORT
NFIP/CRS SYSTEM
Monroe County, FL Verified Class 3
NFIP Number: 125129 Cycle
Date of Verification Visit: August 31, 2020
This Verification Report is provided to explain the recommendations of Insurance
Services Office, Inc. (ISO) to DHS/FEMA concerning credits under the Community
Rating System (CRS) for the above named community.
A total of 3592 credit points are verified which results in a recommendation that the
community improve from a CRS Class 5 to a CRS Class 3. The community has met the
Class 3 prerequisite with a Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS)
Classification of 3/3. The following is a summary of our findings with the total CRS
credit points for each activity listed in parenthesis:
Activity 310— Elevation Certificates: The Building Department maintains elevation
certificates for new and substantially improved buildings. Copies of elevation
certificates are made available upon request. (38 points)
Activity 320— Map information Service: Credit is provided for furnishing inquirers
with basic flood zone information from the community's latest Flood Insurance Rate
Map (FIRM). Credit is also provided for the community furnishing additional FIRM
information and natural floodplain functions. The service is publicized annually and
records are maintained. (70 points)
Activity 330 —Outreach Protects: Credit is provided for informational outreach
projects, general outreach projects, and targeted outreach projects. These projects are
disseminated annually. Credit is also provided for having a pre-flood plan for public
information. Credit is enhanced by having a Program for Public Information (PPI), and
by having the information disseminated by stakeholders outside the local government.
(350 points)
Activity 340— Hazard Disclosure: Credit is provided for state regulations requiring
disclosure of flood hazards. Real estate agents provide a brochure advising
prospective buyers about insurance and checking property flood hazards. Credit is
enhanced by having a PH. (22 points)
Activity 350— Flood Protection Information: Documents relating to floodplain
management are available in the reference section of the Monroe County Library.
Credit is also provided for floodplain information displayed on the community's website.
Credit is enhanced by having a PPI. (95 points)
Monroe County, FL Page 2
NFIP #: 125129
Activity 360— Flood Protection Assistance: Credit is provided for offering one-on-
one advice regarding property protection. Credit is enhanced by having a PPI.
(40 points)
Activity 370— Flood Insurance Promotion: Credit is provided for assessing the
community's current level of flood insurance coverage and assessing shortcomings.
Credit is also provided for development and implementation of a coverage improvement
plan. Credit for implementing a coverage improvement plan is enhanced by having a
PPI and stakeholder involvement. (90 points)
Activity 420— Open Space Preservation: Credit is provided for preserving
approximately 47 percent of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as open space,
protecting open space land with deed restrictions, and preserving open space land in a
natural state. Credit is also provided for regulations and incentives that minimize
development in the SFHA. (880 points)
Activity 430— Higher Regulatory Standards: Credit is provided for enforcing
regulations that require freeboard for new and substantial improvement construction,
foundation protection, cumulative substantial improvement, protection of critical
facilities, enclosure limits, local drainage protection, and elevation of new and
replacement homes in existing manufactured home parks. Credit is also provided for
the enforcement of building codes, a Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule
(BCEGS) Classification of 3/3, state mandated regulatory standards, and regulations
administration. (421 points)
Activity 440 — Flood Data Maintenance: Credit is provided for maintaining and using
additional map data in the day to day management of the floodplain. Credit is also
provided for maintaining copies of all previous FIRMs and Flood Insurance Study
Reports. (158 points)
Activity 450—Stormwater Management: The community enforces regulations for
stormwater management, low impact development, soil and erosion control, and water
quality. Credit is also provided for watershed master planning. (326 points)
Section 502— Repetitive Loss Category: Based on the updates made to the NFIP
Report of Repetitive Losses as of May 31, 2018, Monroe County, FL has 454 repetitive
loss properties and is a Category C community for CRS purposes. The community
FMP and RLAA in place and credited by technical reviewer. (No credit points are
applicable to this section)
Activity 510— Floodplain Management Planning: Credit is provided for the adoption
and implementation of the Monroe County Local Mitigation Strategy, on November 17,
2015. A progress report must be submitted on an annual basis. Credit is also provided
for conducting a repetitive loss area analyses. (497 points)
Monroe County, FL Page 3
NFIP #: 125129
Activity 530 — Flood Protection: Credit is provided for 68 buildings that have been
flood proofed, elevated or otherwise modified to protect them from flood damage.
(160 points)
Activity 540 — Drainage System Maintenance: Credit is provided for listing problem
sites that are inspected more frequently and for implementing an ongoing Capital
Improvements Program. (80 points)
Activity 610— Flood Warning and Response: Credit is provided for a program that
provides timely identification of impending flood threats, disseminates warnings to
appropriate floodplain residents, and coordinates flood response activities. Credit is
also provided for the designation as a Storm Ready Community by the National
Weather Service. (365 points)
Activity 710— County Growth Adjustment: All credit in the 400 series is multiplied by
the growth rate of the county to account for growth pressures. The growth rate for
Monroe County, Florida is 1.10.
Attached is the Community Calculations Worksheet that lists the verified credit points for
the Community Rating System.
CEO Name/Address: CRS Coordinator Name /Address:
The Honorable Michelle Coldiron Lori Lehr
Mayor of Monroe County CRS Coordinator
500 Whitehead Street 2798 Overseas Highway
Key West, Florida 33040 Marathon, Florida 33040
(305) 407-6585
Date Report Prepared: February 25, 2020
Community : Monroe County, FL NAP Number : 125129
720 COMMUNITY CREDIT CALCULATIONS (Cycle):
CALCULATION SECTION :
Verified Activity Calculations: Credit
c310 38 38
c320 70 70
c330 350 350
c340 22 22
c350 95 95
c360 40 40
c370 90 90
c410 x CGA =
c420 800 x CGA 1.10 = 880
c430 383 x CGA 1.10 = 421
c440 144 x CGA 1.10 = 158
c450 296 x CGA 1.10 = 326
c510 497 497
c520
c530 160 160
c540 80 80
c610 365 365
c620
c630
Community Classification Calculation:
cT = total of above cT = 3592
Community Classification (from Table 110-1): Class = 3
CEO Name/Address: CRS Coordinator Name/Address:
The Honorable Michelle Coldiron Lori Lehr
Mayor of Monroe County CRS Coordinator
500 Whitehead Street 2798 Overseas Highway
Key West, Florida 33040 Marathon, Florida 33040
(305) 407-6585
Date Report Prepared: February 25, 2020
AW-720