Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/180498
Sarasota News Leader September 27, 2013 The Community Rating System (CRS) program, Companion continued, is similar to one for fire insurance, with homeowners eligible for discounts because of the best practices pursued in the county since it became part of the national initiative. Among those measures are protecting new buildings beyond minimum NFIP levels; preserving and/or restoring natural functions of floodplains; and helping people obtain flood insurance, according to a Sept. 25 memo to the commission from the Environmental Utilities Department. Page 15 Patterson had asked about the effect on local NFIP policies as a result of the Biggert-Waters Act, which was signed into law in 2012. According to national news accounts, Louisiana's congressional delegation has been leading the charge to at least delay the implementation of the act, which calls for flood insurance rates to rise 20 percent a year over five years to eliminate the federal subsidy. At the outset of her annual Floodplain Management Report for the board, Companion explained that Sarasota County "was part of an However, Companion told the board the coun- elite group" of only 20,000 communities that ty's 25 percent CRS discount likely could fall voluntarily joined the NFIP in 1971. to 20 percent because of federal changes to the NFIP. Still, she said, she was hopeful the As a result, Companion pointed out, homecounty could meet the new requirements and owners in the county received $7.1 million in discounts this year. Moreover, for every dollar maintain the higher level. A graphic shows the value of coverage for homes insured under the National Flood Insurance Program, divided by Sarasota County Commission district. Image courtesy Sarasota County