Estimated 25 percent reduction in resident insurance premiums as a result

For the past year, Town staff have been working diligently to exceed challenging standards set by the voluntary National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). On September 17, the Town received notice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (FEMA), which administers the program, that its work has been successful.

The Town’s rating jumped two places to a five and residents in special flood zone areas will see up to a 25 percent reduction in insurance premiums in the coming year. This is estimated to be $363 a year per property policy. Many residents already have lowered premiums because of the Town’s ongoing participation in this program. The total additional savings is an estimated $919,485, when, added to the current savings of about $1.3 million, ups the total savings to around $2.3 million.

“This achievement and savings has been made possible because the Town has fostered greater compliance in building and zoning codes,” said Roger Hernstadt, Town Manager. “Among other gains, we are helping renovated properties and new construction meet the permitting and coding standards, including a focus on flood protection.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (FEMA) oversees the NFIP-CRS program. In the letter of award received by the Town, William H. Lesser, CRS Coordinator for the Federal Insurance Mitigration Administration, wrote: 

“I commend you on your community actions and your determination to lead your community to be more disaster resistant. This commitment enhances public safety, property protection, and protects the natural functions of floodplains, and reduces flood insurance premiums.” 

Learn about the National Flood Insurance Program 

Town Council adopts budget for Fiscal Year 21
Tax millage rate to remain .95

At the September 21 Town Council meeting, the second hearing of the Fiscal Year 2021 budget resulted in its adoption with the amendment of an additional $50,000 for a nuisance abatement board.

This budget provides the revenue to continue current levels of service and repay the loan to improve Times Square, Bay Oaks Recreational Campus, and Bayside Park. View the budget

Nuisance Abatement Board created

At the September 21 Town Council meeting, the creation of a Nuisance Abatement Board by Ordinance 20-13 was approved by a three to two vote of Town Councilors.

The purpose of this board is to promote, protect, and improve the health, safety and welfare of residents by providing an equitable and effective method to reduce the use of property within the Town for the unlawful sale or delivery of:

• controlled substances
• prostitution
• youth and street gang activity
• gambling
• illegal sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages
• lewd or lascivious behavior

We are hiring!

To learn more about working for the Town and how to apply, click here.

• Lifeguard
• Maintenance Worker I (full-time, $15/hour)
• Museum Educator
• Recreation Supervisor
• Water Utility Technician

Matanzas Pass becomes Manatee Idle Speed Zone

At the second reading and public hearing on proposed ordinance 20-14 during Town Council's meeting on September 21, yearlong "Manatee Idle Speed Zones" were adopted  for Matanzas Pass and the back bay.

This ordinance came about because a group of citizens organized and championed a change in the speed zone to protect manatees that inhabit the waters around the Town. Town Manager Roger Hernstadt called the citizen's actions a "model case" and a "good civics lesson" for how the public and government can work well together effectively.

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC) has conducted studies of the back bay showing that manatees inhabit the area all year long, instead of just April to November as had previously been thought. Since manatees are a federally protected species and Lee County has large numbers of them and subsequently a large number killed by watercraft, a change in the speed zone ordinance in the Town was warranted.

Keep up on the schedule of Town Council and advisory committee meetings

View the meeting calendar on the Town's website

Upcoming meetings