Marion County adopts floodplain-management amendments to align with NFIP, seeks better CRS rating

Marion County commissioners voted unanimously during the meeting to adopt revisions to Article 1 (Division 2 definitions) and Article 5 (Division 3 floodplain management) of the Marion County Land Development Code. The changes were presented as the second public hearing on the item; staff said the edits reflect state-directed updates tied to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS).

Ken of Baraka Grove Services presented the proposed changes and said they were the same amendments reviewed at the June 4, 2025 hearing. Ken told commissioners the updates respond to state requirements and CRS criteria and that the county is "currently rated 7, and we are trying to become a 6 or better," which would lead to broader federal flood-insurance premium discounts for residents.

Discussion included a technical review of section citations in the draft documents. Commissioners and staff identified a typographical error in the staff summary that mis-referenced a stormwater section. Cambury, stormwater engineer in the Office of the County Engineer, identified that the floodplain provisions reference the stormwater section and asked staff to confirm the correct cross-reference. Staff agreed the summary contained a citation error and confirmed the proposed ordinance text and strike-through/underline clean version were correct; the summary language was corrected for the record.

No members of the public spoke. Commissioner McLean (name transcribed; earlier roll call used the spelling "McClain") moved to approve the amendments, and Commissioner Stone seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The approval included the corrections to section citations noted on the record; staff did not add further substantive changes.