Bonita Springs notified of FEMA decision to maintain Community Rating System classification and policyholder discounts

The City of Bonita Springs was notified July 19 that FEMA determined Bonita Springs residents with policies issued under the NFIP will maintain the discount rate of 25% while the city and FEMA continue to work on a plan to address continuing issues. That plan will be due Nov. 18.

The city believes that this is a positive step forward. Since Hurricane Irma in 2017, the city’s number one strategic priority has been improving stormwater management and pursuing projects for a more resilient community. This did not begin after Hurricane Ian, nor when FEMA notified the city of the pending CRS retrograde; it has been the bedrock of the City of Bonita Springs’ culture for years. We will work with FEMA as our partners and continue discussions with FEMA to enhance procedures to better accommodate disasters of the magnitude of Hurricane IAN.

Bonita Springs has commissioned studies, retained consultants, and initiated projects to mitigate the risks of flood damage and obtain a favorable rating for our residents and taxpayers. The city learned many lessons from Irma, which spurred a renewed focus on stormwater infrastructure and flood control projects, property buyouts, and the policies and procedures necessary to support them.

In this context, flood resiliency has consistently been the most significant portion of Bonita’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget, totaling more than 65 percent of the current CIP. Bonita’s ongoing approach has been to continuously evaluate internal processes and procedures for improvement, and identify any programmatic issues, while adapting to and overcoming challenges. Amid the turmoil of responding to Hurricane Ian, a storm that claimed many innocent lives and rendered thousands more homeless, Bonita Springs continually made decisions rooted in adherence to FEMA’s NFIP and Community Rating System CRS requirements and guidelines.

The city will continue its work with FEMA to provide additional information in the coming months. To view a complete overview of Bonita Springs efforts and the situation, visit City of Bonita Springs FEMA Community Rating System.

The Bonita Springs City Council remains committed to retaining the CRS rating of 5 to maintain the discount available to Bonita Springs residents with NFIP policies.