The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) verbally informed the City of Bonita Springs, Lee County, and other local municipalities on Thursday March 28, 2024, that it was altering its assigned ratings that ensure residents have a 25% discount on their flood insurance. Bonita Springs has worked hard to receive a federal rating that resulted in saving taxpayers millions annually. Extensive efforts have been made to demonstrate to the federal government that the county and its city partners go above and beyond what is required to meet and exceed FEMA standards for the National Flood Insurance Program.
The county and its municipal partners are committed to full transparency as it relates to the FEMA determination. Please click here to visit Lee County’s Page for more information.
Bonita Springs City Council discussed the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Determination during the regularly scheduled Bonita Springs City Council meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3rd. Click Here to view the meeting. The City Council unanimously approved a vote of confidence in city staff and the city manager. The council also approved the use of all means in the toolbox to be used to appeal the decision. The council appointed a council liaison and an alternate.
FEMA provided municipalities and the county with 60 days to provide more documentation to avoid this retrograde. Bonita Springs, Lee County, and other municipalities worked closely with Administrator Criswell and the FEMA floodplain management staff to try to prevent the Community Rating System retrograde and to maintain compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program. City staff worked to submit additional information regarding the properties in the special flood hazard areas and provided information about the steps taken to remain in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program.
Bonita Springs also retained a Community Rating System consultant and executed an agreement to attain expert knowledge regarding the program and support further attempts to avoid retrograde. Bonita Springs is fully committed to transparency and has submitted all required information to FEMA to avoid retrograde. FEMA is reviewing the submittal and has indicated the city will hear a response in July.
Narrative
Communications
Toolkit
Flood Hazard Reduction Ordinance
Bonita Springs has submitted all requested documentation to FEMA.
