Written by Amanda Coers – The Brownwood City Council met at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24th, in the Council Chambers at City Hall to discuss items posted on the agenda. Updated flood maps required through National Flood Insurance Procedures (NFIP) were the cause of consternation during the council meeting. City staff has been working with FEMA since 2008 to update the flood maps. The deadline for the city to accept the newly revised maps is rapidly approaching: August 28th. 

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The city has little choice but to adopt the newly revised flood maps in order to continue participation in the NFIP. Without that participation, local potential property owners will not be eligible for federally managed flood insurance, federally backed mortgages, or federal grants. Essentially, properties now located in the updated flood plain would be limited to cash buyers. 

For more information on the NFIP and the insurance requirements please visit www.floodsmart.gov

After voicing their concerns, the council approved an ordinance on first reading to revise Chapter 82 – Floods, of the Code of Ordinances which includes the adoption of the updated county-wide flood insurance rate maps and flood insurance study with the effective date of August 28th.

“We’re not voluntarily choosing this trigger, it has been triggered for us,” Mayor Stephen Haynes said. “This is not something that the council desires to do, it’s something that we’ve been mandated to do. So our hands are tied.” 

Immediate impact: Homes that previously were not inside the flood map will have a one year grace period to acquire flood insurance after the map becomes effective. It is estimated over 200 Brownwood properties will be added to the flood plain. 

“I think it’s unfair, it’s an indirect tax from the government and it’s out of our control,” Haynes said. “Those people who bought their properties reliant on the old maps are now being forced to buy insurance as a requirement for mortgages on their homes.” 

Also discussed during the meeting:

– The council approved an ordinance on first reading to annex 109 acres into the City of Brownwood and approving a service plan for the area. 

“We were first approached by Mr. Martin in April this last spring regarding a development he wanted to pursue in Brownwood. He wanted that development to be inside the city limits,” Jody Kelly told the council.

Mayor Haynes voiced his approval for the project, but expressed some concern about the possibility of the city being obligated to provide costly expansions to sewer and water lines. Kelly explained there are already water and sewer lines established in the area, and minimal upgrades to the facilities should be needed. The landowner has agreed to install all the infrastructure required to connect to the already established lines.

– The council approved renaming the street from Calvert Road into Gordon Wood Stadium as Gordon Wood Stadium Drive. 

– The council approved a stop sign to be installed on the south corner of Vincent Street at Idlewild Drive to establish a three-way stop at the intersection of Vincent and Roanoke Avenue. The stop sign at the Northwest corner of Vincent Street and Roanoke will be removed. A one-way traffic only flow will be established on Vincent Street from Roanoke to Idlewild. A no parking zone will be on the east side of Vincent Street beginning at Roanoke and continuing north 450 feet. A second no parking zone will be established on the south side of Idlewild beginning at Vincent and continuing east 200 feet. 

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