Garden City council OKs up to $175,000 to press FEMA for flood‑map change using Corps 2D model

Garden City, Idaho — The Garden City Council voted unanimously April 27 to authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with QRS Consulting (now affiliated with Morrison) for up to $175,000 to prepare a formal FEMA Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) using a recently completed two‑dimensional hydraulic model produced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Mayor William Jacobs said the two‑dimensional model could “significantly reduce the cost of development in our city” and lower flood‑insurance requirements for homeowners if FEMA accepts the revised mapping. Jacobs asked the council to fund an initial phase of work to submit the Corps model to FEMA so the agency can consider replacing older one‑dimensional maps that currently govern development.

Nick Krauss, the consultant who presented the model to council, said the Corps’ 2D output shows much less inundation in many developed areas than FEMA’s 2016 one‑dimensional map and the still‑effective 2003 map. “We’re saying about $75,000 to get to FEMA,” Krauss said of the initial submittal; he estimated a total not‑to‑exceed budget of about $175,000 to cover the likely two‑phase review and contingencies and said the overall effort could take 12 to 18 months.

Krauss cautioned that FEMA’s review process is technical and iterative: materials go to a third‑party technical reviewer and the agency and reviewers often request further scenarios before final sign‑off. “We’ve never had FEMA just say no,” he told council, but he acknowledged the agency’s process can be slow and involve multiple rounds of comment.

Council members pressed on costs and timing given recent federal staffing changes. Council member asked about risk of spending consultant funds with little return; Krauss acknowledged some of the early submittal cost is “at risk” but argued that a successful LOMR would vindicate prior city spending on the 2D model and make significant long‑term savings likely.

The city plans a phased approach focused initially on the upper river reach — the area Krauss described as hydraulically simpler and anchored by a previously approved 2021 LOMR for the River Club — and would expand the scope only if FEMA’s response supports broader adoption. Krauss said that if FEMA is receptive, the agency might accept broader adoption of the 2D model; if FEMA requires a one‑dimensional tie‑in or further study, the city would scale the work accordingly rather than commence a costly, open‑ended restudy.

Council approved the authorization on a voice/roll call vote after the mayor’s motion to proceed. Council members Carver Herbert, Paige, Rasmmanson and Jorgensson all voted yes. The contract authorization is subject to final legal review and agreement terms.

What happens next: staff will finalize an agreement for legal review, allocate $75,000 of the work in the current fiscal year (partially offset by a $28,000 rebate the city holds), and begin preparation of the LOMR submittal. If FEMA’s initial technical review is favorable, the city could proceed with additional phases; if FEMA requests a restudy, costs could rise substantially and council would revisit funding and scope.