Fallon County public‑works staff informed the commission that the state’s mapping contractor has completed modeling and sent materials to FEMA for hydraulic review; staff said final map adoption could be six months to a year away. The county’s engineering and permitting history for multiple drainage projects — including the North Baker drainage improvement project, the Sixth Street box culvert and Baker Lake tributary work — relied on earlier local modeling and permits. Staff warned that until FEMA finalizes maps and the county obtains the updated floodplain designation, obtaining operations and maintenance (O&M) approval, water rights or low‑cost LOMAR (Letter of Map Amendment/Revision) work will be difficult.

Commissioners heard that a prior North Baker project was permitted in 2019 and estimated at roughly $630,000 then, but LOMAR and mapping costs have risen since; a county engineer told the board LOMAR work and separate mapping efforts have grown costlier and that new adopted maps could re‑set the county’s requirements. Staff said some projects — notably the Sixth Street box culvert — have designs ready to bid but material procurement timelines make rapid construction unlikely this year. Commissioners asked staff to compile a prioritized list of projects (Sixth Street, box culverts, North Baker channel improvements), easement status and remaining permits, with cost updates tied to the current federal mapping timeline.

Staff also said several easements remain unsigned on the North Baker channel alignment, and noted that the state’s updated modeling team had not incorporated all locally proposed improvements — the county requested the mapping contractor incorporate the planned improvements so the model could show whether the project would reduce flood risk. County staff will send a letter to the state asking how to incorporate the county’s proposed channel and culvert improvements into the state model so the final maps will reflect those improvements. The commission gave staff direction to prepare a letter for signature and to follow up with the state floodplain manager and the county’s attorney about the LOMAR and water‑rights sequencing.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to return with a prioritized project list, updated cost estimates and the status of required easements and permits. They also asked staff to seek clear guidance from the state mapping team on how to incorporate county improvements into the FEMA mapping process.