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City accepts annual floodplain plan update; work underway toward 2025 full revision
Summary
City staff presented the 2024 annual evaluation of the Floodplain Management Plan (FMP). Commissioners accepted the report and staff said a full update of the five‑year plan will be brought later this year; the city seeks continued work to improve flood insurance ratings and master planning with county partners.
Sarasota staff on July 21 provided the commission an annual evaluation of the city's Floodplain Management Plan, describing progress toward mitigation actions and the next full update expected later this year.
Lucia Panaca, Director of Development Services, said the FMP is the city’s strategy to reduce flood risks and manage long‑term mitigation. The currently adopted plan (Resolution 21R2953, adopted November 16, 2020) is subject to annual progress reports; a complete five‑year update is scheduled by the end of 2025.
Panaca said the annual action plan update tracks items such as outreach, permitting, stormwater projects and coordination with county partners and that the city’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program community rating system (CRS) depends on regular reporting. The city currently sits at CRS Class 5, which correlates to a 25% flood insurance discount; staff said the city is working toward measures expected to achieve Class 4 and a 30% discount for policyholders.
Commissioners asked staff about outreach to residents who do not receive printed water bills (one method used to distribute flood information). Panaca said staff sends targeted mailings to repetitive‑loss properties and will expand digital and social outreach in future cycles. Commissioners also asked whether references in the action plan remain current given policy changes at the state level that have affected development regulations; the city attorney noted state legislative restrictions on new development regulations in some coastal/highly impacted areas and said legal review is ongoing.
Commission action: a motion to accept the Floodplain Management Plan 2024 evaluation passed unanimously. Staff said a full FMP update for 2025–2030 will be presented to the commission later this year and that some watershed master‑planning efforts are already under way with county partners.
Ending: Commissioners accepted the annual report without further action; staff will return with the complete five‑year update and continue work on outreach and watershed priorities.
