The Knox City Council this week approved a new flood plan ordinance on its first reading as required by FEMA in order for residents to be able to acquire flood insurance. Mayor Rick Chambers explained that the city has been required to update their current plan and the state provided a sample ordinance that could be adapted to suit the city’s needs.
City attorney David Matsey said the plan contains three important parts: the designation of a flood plan administrator, the dictation of violations and fees, and the decision as to whether or not the city should require development permit forms to be filled out. Matsey said the current ordinance lays out a $500 maximum fine and he recommended changing that to a more flexible amount, up to $2500.
Matsey said the flood plan ordinance has already been pre-approved by the state. A motion was made and approved to adopt the ordinance on its first reading, with the second and third readings to be held later.
