Winneshiek County supervisors want public input before voting on flood plain ordinance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency--FEMA--has stopped paying for floodplain maps.  The maps are needed before a community can become part of the National Flood Insurance Program.

In the meantime, communities can qualify for the NFIP emergency program by passing a flood plain ordinance.  But Winneshiek County supervisors aren't sure whether this is something the county should do.

No one appeared at a public hearing Monday on the flood plain ordinance and supervisors did not receive any written comments.  County Zoning Administrator Tony Phillips did share his opinions with supervisors, however.

Phillips stated that the positive of passing a floodplain ordinance is that the ordinance would allow residents of rural Winneshiek County to qualify for up to $35,000 in flood insurance on a single family home.

But Phillips told supervisors that passing the ordinance would mean new regulations on property in all of rural Winneshiek County--not just the property along rivers and streams.  "It's way too much 'stick' for the amount of 'carrot' you get," said Phillips.

Supervisors have scheduled a first reading of the flood plain ordinance--but not until December 10th--a date set far enough in the future that supervisors hope they'll get public comment by then.  Said County Board Chair Les Askelson, "We need to take some time on this."