Submitted Photo Mayor Chuck Barney signs FEMA paperwork giving Minot a Class 8 rating in the flood insurance program, which entitles residents in the flood hazard area to receive a 10 percent premium discount. City Engineer Lance Meyer looks on at right.

City of Minot property owners in potential flood hazard areas can now get a 10 percent discount on federal insurance premiums through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s insurance program effective May 1, 2017.

The reduction comes after the city partnered with Ward County to meet FEMA requirements under the Community Rating System, including flood planning, property damage reduction and community education.

“Everything we do for flood control, property acquisition and community outreach can earn us points towards flood insurance discounts, “said Lance Meyer, city engineer. “Ward County’s Emergency Management department has worked very hard to implement their CRS program. Many of their initiatives overlapped ours within the city and provided us additional points. They have done an excellent job collaborating with us to help all of our citizens.”

In October, the City enrolled in CRS and was classified at that time as a Class 9, which provided a 5 percent discount on insurance premiums. Each class reduction adds an additional 5 percent savings for property owners. After the most recent review, Minot is now a class 8.

“We’ve only just begun,” Meyer said. “As we build more walls or levees, add storm water systems and improve community education we will continue to add points and decrease insurance costs.”

Flood protection phases I through III for the City of Minot are scheduled to break ground in the spring of 2017. FEMA representatives continually re-evaluate Minot’s efforts to reclassify in the CRS Program.