Vermillion County APC recommends updated flood damage ordinance to county commissioners

The Vermillion County Area Plan Commission voted May 14 to recommend that county commissioners adopt a state-required update to the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, saying the change must be on the books by June 29 to maintain compliance.

Penny, planning staff for Vermillion County, told the commission the update is not optional: "we have to have it on the books by June 29th to be in compliance." The commission held a short public hearing that drew no public speakers and proceeded to a roll-call recommendation vote.

Commissioners Brandon Ruth, Eddie Kaiser, Bob Alexander and Joe Ellis voted in favor; Brian (recorded as Brian/‘Brian Stevens’ in the roll call) voted no, producing a 4–1 favorable recommendation that the ordinance be placed on the county commissioners' agenda for consideration. The APC chair directed staff to notify the auditor and request the ordinance be added to the commissioners' June agenda.

The update replaces language adopted in 2013 and will be incorporated into the county Unified Development Ordinance if the commissioners adopt it. The commission noted the timeline is driven by state requirements and the county’s monthly meeting schedule.

Next steps: the board of county commissioners will receive the APC recommendation; a public hearing and formal adoption by the commissioners will be required to finalize the ordinance.