July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
County moves on flood issues (07/07/08)
Jay County Commissioners
By By STEVE GARBACZ-
Jay County Commissioners updated an ordinance this morning on flood control to give residents an option to obtain insurance if they are in a flood plain.
The ordinance was drafted by the Department of Natural Resources as an update to a similar ordinance passed years ago in the county.
The commissioners had discussed this draft at meetings for about a month before taking action today. Flood insurance is important since it is required in order to obtain a mortgage on properties located in areas prone to flooding.
"The flood control ordinance, we have to have it if people want flood insurance," said commisioners' attorney Lon Racster. "People will have to have flood insurance if they want mortgages."
Homeowners can create an appeal in order to obtain insurance despite being in the flood plain. They will have to prove their elevation is at the acceptable mark, either through an independent survey or shown by the county flood maps.
"If we don't redo this ordinance, they can't do anything," Racster said.
The flood maps, however, are outdated and incorrect in several places.
The commissioners talked about updating these maps, but the cost has proved infeasible.
"Is it going to be to the benefit of our constituents to update the flood maps?" asked commissioner Milo Miller Jr.
"The cost would be astronomical," replied Racster.
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Heard a request from Vicki Tague, executive director of the Jay County Chamber of Commerce, for $5,000 to cover the chamber's rent and utilities. The commissioners took the request under consideration for future budgeting.
•Were informed by Racster that he would meet with the county judges to discuss implementing a fee for weekenders at the jail.
The fee would be charged to prisoners serving weekend only terms. The idea was presented by Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton in mid-June.
•Made Newton purchasing agent to handle maintenance on Jay County Jail cameras. Newton said the work to increase camera coverage and alleviate some problems will cost about $4,500.
•Rejected all bids received for construction on the courthouse annex building.
The rejection came at the recommendation of county engineer Dan Watson, who thought all the bids were too high.[[In-content Ad]]
The ordinance was drafted by the Department of Natural Resources as an update to a similar ordinance passed years ago in the county.
The commissioners had discussed this draft at meetings for about a month before taking action today. Flood insurance is important since it is required in order to obtain a mortgage on properties located in areas prone to flooding.
"The flood control ordinance, we have to have it if people want flood insurance," said commisioners' attorney Lon Racster. "People will have to have flood insurance if they want mortgages."
Homeowners can create an appeal in order to obtain insurance despite being in the flood plain. They will have to prove their elevation is at the acceptable mark, either through an independent survey or shown by the county flood maps.
"If we don't redo this ordinance, they can't do anything," Racster said.
The flood maps, however, are outdated and incorrect in several places.
The commissioners talked about updating these maps, but the cost has proved infeasible.
"Is it going to be to the benefit of our constituents to update the flood maps?" asked commissioner Milo Miller Jr.
"The cost would be astronomical," replied Racster.
In other business this morning, the commissioners:
•Heard a request from Vicki Tague, executive director of the Jay County Chamber of Commerce, for $5,000 to cover the chamber's rent and utilities. The commissioners took the request under consideration for future budgeting.
•Were informed by Racster that he would meet with the county judges to discuss implementing a fee for weekenders at the jail.
The fee would be charged to prisoners serving weekend only terms. The idea was presented by Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton in mid-June.
•Made Newton purchasing agent to handle maintenance on Jay County Jail cameras. Newton said the work to increase camera coverage and alleviate some problems will cost about $4,500.
•Rejected all bids received for construction on the courthouse annex building.
The rejection came at the recommendation of county engineer Dan Watson, who thought all the bids were too high.[[In-content Ad]]
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