Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Insurance Plan Tabled By JPs

It will be about a year before JPs will consider the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) again, following an 8-1 vote during the regular meeting of the Nevada County Quorum Court on Monday, November 8.

JP Gary Lewis made the motion to wait until a 911 coordinator is hired next year and their job slows down enough until they can handle the responsibility of the program.

JPs are expected to hire a 911 coordinator and several changes will have to be made by the coordinator before the 911 program actually begins. Some changes include the changing of some county road numbers and then preparing dispatchers for operation.

It is expected the coordinator's jobs will ease off once 911 service begins. It is after this point (expected to be nine to 12 months) before the flood program begins.

The NFIP administrator's job will include being sure new buildings in a flood zone are above the flood plain. More than likely the county will ask for a new flood plain map, since the current map shows all waterways as being potential flood plains.

NFIP will allow residents, who live in designated flood plains and who desire the insurance, to purchase flood insurance for their homes. The plan allows the insurance at reduced rates compared to not having approved NFIP.

There is no guarantee JPs will approve the plan when it is considered again.

Some JPs have considered the restrictions of the plan as too much 'big brother' looking over individual's shoulders while others think the plan is too restrictive.

It is estimated less than five percent of the county's homes are in a flood plain.

Last week's vote passed 8-1 with JP Willie Wilson voting against the measure. Wilson is in the plan since he lives in the city of Prescott.

Other problems with the plan by JPs are monetary concerns due to a possible lack of funds to insure the program is run properly.

The plan does not require existing structures in flood plains to be redone, though it is expected insurance will cost more.

In other business JPs were introduced to the new Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development (EDO) manager, Jon Chadwell.

Chadwell began work in Prescott on Tuesday, November 16.

He told JPs there were several good things in process at the EDO and his desire once working, is to continue developing them.

In addition, Chadwell told JPs he had a desire to meet JPs one-on-one and talk about the future direction of his office as how he could meet the needs of each one's district.