Item D13
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
C ounty of M onroe
Mayor David Rice, District 4
Mayor Pro Tem Craig Cates, District 1
The Florida Keys
Michelle Coldiron, District 2
Vacant, District 3
Holly Merrill Raschein, District 5
County Commission Meeting
May 18, 2022
Agenda Item Number: D.13
Agenda Item Summary #10545
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Budget and Finance
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: John Quinn 3052924464
N/A
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of payment to Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM)
for property insurance advocacy.
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
e, 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:
On September 15, 2021, the BOCC approved the Operating & Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2022.
The FY22 Operating budget included $50,000 for FIRM to advocate on behalf of property owners in
Monroe County. now requesting that the Board of County
Commissioners reapprove the funding for FIRM before they will issue payment.
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval
DOCUMENTATION:
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FIRM Funding Request FY2021-22
FIRM Invoice FY 2021-2022
FY2022 Adopted Budget Book - FIRM Study Funding
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Total Dollar Value of Contract:
Total Cost to County: $50,000.00
Current Year Portion: $50,000.00
Budgeted: Yes
Source of Funds: 001-045907
CPI:
Indirect Costs:
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts:
Revenue Producing: If yes, amount:
Grant:
County Match:
Insurance Required:
Additional Details:
05/18/22 NOT BUDGETED $0.00
REVIEWED BY:
Tina Boan Completed 05/02/2022 10:14 AM
Christine Limbert Completed 05/02/2022 11:35 AM
Purchasing Completed 05/02/2022 11:57 AM
Brian Bradley Completed 05/02/2022 1:24 PM
Lindsey Ballard Completed 05/02/2022 3:56 PM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 05/18/2022 9:00 AM
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March 23, 2022
Mr. Roman Gastesi
Monroe County Administrator
1100 Simonton St. Ste. 205
Key West, FL 33040
Dear Mr. Gastesi,
Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (FIRM) is requesting funding for FY 2021-2022 to
continue its mission to fight for fair windstorm and flood insurance rates for the residents
th
of Monroe County. FIRM is now in its 16 year of representing Monroe County in the tireless
fight against ever-increasing insurance premiums.
-2021:
Ensured the continued freeze in Citizens Property Insurance residential wind
insurance rates through correspondence, conference calls, and virtual
attendance at the quarterly Citizens Board of Governors meetings up until the
Citizens Rate Hearing in March of 2021.
Communicated concerns with Insurance Consumer Advocate Tasha Carter who
hearing virtually to share concerns with
Altmaier and his staff. A successful Ca
more than 200 emails from Monroe County residents included in
public record.
Worked with several legal and insurance professionals to continue discussions
about the viability of a Monroe County Mutual Insurance Corporation.!
!
Hired lobbyists at The Southern Group to secure a Monroe County carve-out
from the 1% annual increase in Citizens glide path, an increase in the $1 million
coverage cap for Monroe County, and an exemption from the 1% rate increase
for second homes used as long-term rentals for our local workforce.!
Worked closely with Monroe County, the municipalities, and consultants Woods
Hole Group to develop the a
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to FEMA in June 2021!
!
Partnered with Monroe County, the City of Key West and Monroe County
Extension Services on the Keyswide Home Elevation Education Project under a !
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Mr. Roman Gastesi
March 23, 2022
Page Two!
Sea Grant from NOAA to the City of Key West. The project included a Home
Raising Academy for local contractors, creation of one-page summaries of
previous elevation projects, and the creation of five local government specific
workshops for the public. All information is on a dedicated landing page on
www.FIRMKeys.org. !
!
Continued the partnership of the Home Elevation Project to support and assist
Christine Hurley and staff at the Monroe County Land Authority with the FEMA
Flood Mitigation Assistance Grants. FIRM staff attends meetings with Planning
and Building Department personnel meant to simplify the grant application
process for residents.!
!
on the PPI
status giving residents a 35% discount on flood insurance. Since 2017 the CRS
discount has saved Monroe County residents over $26 million.
Lobbied Federal lawmakers, including phone conferenc
Reauthorization. Met in-person with Rep. Gimenez and staff regarding the
reauthorization of the NFIP.!
!
Joined the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance based in Louisiana to
understand the potential impact of the most significant overhaul to the NFIP
program since its creation, Risk Rating 2.0. The Coalition includes
representatives from coastal communities around the country who share the
!
!
Created a web page dedicated to Risk Rating 2.0 including a live dashboard that
allows insurance agents to submit rated properties for comparative analysis.!
!
Served as a resource for policyholders who have questions and concerns about
windstorm insurance, flood insurance, mitigation methods, flood maps, the claims
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process and storm preparedness.!
!
!
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Mr. Roman Gastesi
March 23, 2022
Page Three
!
!
-out for Monroe
County to reset the rate cap to 10% and to continue to provide access to
government agencies and officials. This expense totaled $27,000. FIRM Board
Members met with CFO Jimmy Patronis and Insurance Commissioner David
Altmaier to explain the inequities for Monroe County in regards to Citizens windstorm
rates. Monroe County has paid over $900 million in premiums over claims since
2004. FIRM expects these relationships to be beneficial as we seek a carve-out.
Both CFO Patronis and Commissioner Altmaier were receptive to the idea of tasking
FIU with running the public hurricane model with input specific to Monroe County.
The Board members also met with Citizens Legislative Director Christine Ashburn
about Citizens not opposing a Monroe County carve-out.
With no insurance bills passed during the 2022 session, FIRM wishes to keep the
lobbyists on retainer and working towards our goals in the event of a special session
and in preparation for the 2023 legislative session.
FIRM plans to build on the Home Elevation Education project with more educational
opportunities for contractors and property owners in addition to continuing to
. The project will be featured on
FIRM remains fluid and ready to respond to needs from the community as storms,
is to advocate for fair and affordable property insurance coverage and to empower
residents by continually keeping them informed of changes that affect their decisions
about property insurance and mitigation.
Without FIRM, it is likely that every policyholder in the Keys would be paying at least
over $60 million a year in the Keys economy and has enabled premium savings for
Monroe County residents of over $900 million dollars since 2006.
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The ongoing support of the County is needed in order for FIRM to continue its state
and federal level advocacy and community education missions. We continue to be
an all-volunteer Board and have been successful in keeping our expenses minimal
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Mr. Roman Gastesi
March 23, 2022
Page Four
in that regard. We do feel that as the economic impact of rising property insurance
is indispensable.
Thank you for your support in previous years. If you or the Commissioners would
like a presentation at an upcoming BOCC meeting, I would be happy to do so.
Warm regards,
Mel Montagne
President.
cc: Tina Boan, Budget Director
Lisa Tennyson, Legislative Affairs Director
Lindsey Ballard, Administrator Aide
FIRM | 713 Caroline St., Ste. C | Key West, FL 33040
305-294-FIRM (3476)| info@firmkeys.org | 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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Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
Fiscal Year 2022 Adopted Fiscal Plan
B.O.C.C.
BOCC Miscellaneous
Description and Services Provided
To account for State mandated and miscellaneous programs.
Major Variances
This budget includes the following funding:
From the General Fund (001)- Ad Valorem funds
>Promotional Advertising: $5,000 (Conch certificates and other awards)
>Value Adjustment Board: $35,000
>Hurricane: $100,000
>Firm Study: $50,000
>Lower Keys Medical Center-Baker Act: $83,334 (State Mandate 394.76 F.S.)
>Guidance Care Center-Baker Act Transportation: $165,000 (State Mandate 394.76 F.S.)
>Employee Suggestion Plan: $10,000
>Guidance Care Center-Substance Abuse Mental Health: $836,518 (State Mandate F.S. 394.76)
>Historic FL Keys Foundation: $32,450
>Guidance Care Center- Jail Incarceration Program (JIP): $144,021 (Grant match)
From Fine & Forfeiture Fund (101)- Ad Valorem funds
>Juvenile Detention Cost Share: $196,000 (State mandate, Section 985.686, F.S.)
>Tax Increment Payments: $1,289,000
From Middle Keys Health Care MSTU Fund (104)- Ad Valorem fund
>Middle Keys Health Care: $1,906,480 (Ordinance 012-2018)
From Duck Key Security District Fund (152) -Special Revenue Fund
>Duck Key Security Special District $165,000 (Governed by the Duck Key Security Advisory Board)
From Miscellaneous Special Revenue Fund (158)
>FL Keys Council of Handicapped: $3,000
>Ord 021-2002 Traffic Education Fund: $50,000
From Drug Abuse Fund (164) -Special Revenue Fund
>Drug Abuse Trust $55,000
Total: $5,125,803
Governmental Fund Type Grants will be rolled over into the FY2022 budget when the prior year expenditures are reconciled.
FY 2019FY 2020FY 2022FY 2021FY 2021FY 2022
Budgetary Cost SummaryActualActualAdoptedAmendedAdoptedChange
Personnel Expenditures319,912-174,580-128,149-%
Operating Expenditures6,017,7365,125,8036,929,3765,150,44117,934,982(0.5)%
Capital Outlay Expenditures1,920,502-413,694-150,000-%
Interfund Transfers5,302,095-843,281---%
Total Budget8,360,93213,560,2445,150,44118,213,1325,125,803(0.5)%
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B.O.C.C.
Fiscal Year 2022
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172