Commissioners move to circulate updated flood damage prevention ordinance after DNR briefing

The chair reported an hour-long meeting with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about updating Greene County's flood damage prevention ordinance and recommended moving the draft forward for review. County Attorney Marvin told commissioners the county must consider updates if it wants to remain eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program and said the DNR provided a model ordinance used at the federal level.

Marvin explained that updates could include establishing permitting requirements so properties could be clearly identified as floodway, fringe area, or not affected, which would trigger state or county-level permits for certain construction in a floodway. He said the DNR had emphasized it is a "myth" that only properties in a mapped flood plain can buy federal flood insurance and that the county should notify realtors and banks about any new permitting rules. Commissioners discussed whether to charge a permitting fee or instead apply penalties for noncompliance; the chair asked for a motion to circulate the ordinance for review.