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Floodplain fix

Burlington seeks solution to building permit error

The City of Burlington is looking to fix a building permit snafu that – in a worst case scenario – could cost residents their flood insurance discount or even raise their premiums.

Amanda Schooling, Ward County Emergency Management director, sought and received permission from the Ward County Commission Tuesday to continue working with Burlington if requested to help city officials resolve the issue. She said she has presented options for fixes.

The Burlington City Council will meet again Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall.

Schooling said the city’s floodplain ordinance states if a substantial improvement of more than 50 percent of a structure is made, the entire structure must be elevated to meet floodplain requirements. She discovered at the end of last year that a building permit had been issued in 2018 for a substantial improvement without the stipulation for raising the rest of the structure.

Having a floodplain ordinance is among steps communities can take to qualify for the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System. Schooling said violating the ordinance could cost Burlington its flood insurance premium discount should program administrators decide to remove Burlington from the CRS.

The CRS was implemented in 1990 as a voluntary program for recognizing and encouraging community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP standards. Under the CRS, flood insurance premium rates are incrementally discounted to reward communities based on the various actions taken to reduce flood damage, support insurance coverage and encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.

Burlington qualifies for a 10 percent discount.

Schooling said the NFIP could decide to eliminate preferred insurance rates for a persistent violation as well, which could increase each insured resident’s premium by thousands of dollars.

She sought commission approval to assist Burlington because of potential county liability due to her involvement. The commission determined her role in providing advice does not create liability.

Burlington city officials declined comment at this time.

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