Supervisors Contemplate Enrollment In Flood Program
By David Howell
Editor
WATER VALLEY – A revised flood map becomes effective in March and supervisors are considering enrollment in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Yalobusha County is the only county in the state not enrolled in the program, according to the county’s Emergency Management Agency Director Frank Hyde. County officials weighed the pros and cons of enrolling in the program during the “first Monday” supervisors meeting held Feb. 1 in Water Valley.
The discussion followed multiple meetings last year, when the county’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) was updated. The new map replaces a 1985 map, and identifies areas subject to flooding problems in the county.
Enrollment in the program could come at a cost to taxpayers, as the county would have to implement a permitting process and check all new construction and some renovations to see if the structures are located in at-risk areas for flooding.
Benefits identified with participation in the federal flood program includes the availability of conventional mortgages for people who have property in the flood zone. Without enrollment in the program, Board Attorney John Crow told supervisors less lending opportunities are available.
“You got to have flood insurance,” Crow explained, a preliminary step before a home or business owner can obtain financing from many major lending institutions.
The county received a letter last year from Mississippi Floodplain Coordinator Stacey Ricks outlining three ramifications if the county does not participate in the flood program:
• Flood insurance will not be available in the county;
• No federal grants or loans for buildings identified as being in the special flood hazard area will be available; and
• No federal disaster assistance may be provided in the identified areas for permanent construction. This means if a tornado or other disaster strikes, damaged homes located in the flood plain in the county would not be eligible for federal assistance.
“If we can do it reasonable, I will be for it,” District Three Supervisor M.H. “Butch” Surrette told supervisors, referring to the cost.
“You got to have a compliance officer and you got to have an engineering fund. What’s the cost to do something like that?” Surrette added.
A decision was postponed until options on how the program could be implemented could be explored. One option, discussed at the meeting, was to use the 911 office and secretary to monitor the paperwork.
Hyde also told supervisors in an earlier meeting that if they decide to participate in the NFIP, existing structures will be grandfathered.
Water Valley and Coffeeville are enrolled in the program.
Other business conducted at the meeting included:
• Heard a request from Sullivan Haywood III to obtain a permit to sell beer and light wine for on-premises consumption for a new restaurant.
The business will be located at Gum’s Crossing and Haywood told supervisors that he would sell fishing equipment, a little bit of store goods, but most of his business would be restaurant-related.
Sullivan was going to open his establishment in another location, but found a different location after he had already obtained a permit from the Mississippi State Tax Commission.
“The permit doesn’t match the location for the new establishment,” Chancery Clerk Amy McMinn explained to supervisors.
“As soon as you get the new permit that has the correct location, I will get these guys to approve it,” McMinn advised Haywood.
County officials also stressed key components of the beer ordinance which provides guidelines set by supervisors for this type of business.
“You understand your meals must be at least 50 percent of your total receipts of sale of anything?” Board Attorney John Crow asked.
“I was thinking it was 45 or 40, but I can make this adjustment,” Haywood answered. “Most of the building will be used for a restaurant, anyway.”
“Sometimes people misunderstand, of the total of whatever you are selling, you got to have at least 50 percent food,” Crow explained.
“Prepared food,” District Three Supervisor M.H. “Butch” Surrette added.
“With hot meals, under one roof. You can’t have a place over here selling cold beer and then over here selling viennas. It has got to be together,” Crow added.
“You have reviewed the (beer) ordinance?” Vaughn asked.
“I went over it when I came home,” Haywood answered.
“No cold beer to leave the premises,” District One Supervisor Vaughn advised.
• Approved a request from Sheriff Lance Humphreys to transfer $6,854 from payroll to debt services. The shift would allow Humphreys to purchase a patrol vehicle. The money would allow the department to lease purchase a new vehicle. The vehicle will replace an older Chevrolet Impala that “is about on it’s last leg,” Humphreys told supervisors.
Humphreys also received the go-ahead to obtain $1,000 from his department’s PIPE fund. This money will be used for undercover narcotics work. Funds in the PIPE fund are obtained from seizures relating to drug arrests.
• Authorized an appointment recommended by Yalobusha County Emergency Management Agency Director Frank Hyde for an assistant EMA director. Hyde recommended Herbie Rogers for the job.
“He understands it is a volunteer service,” Hyde explained. “He is one of the most dedicated guys in our county,” Hyde also said.
“It is hard to single out one volunteer because we got so many in Yalobusha County. They serve their neighbors without any expectation of any type of pay. We see it every week on fires. Herbie is always there…Along with a lot of other people,” District Two Supervisor Tommy Vaughn said, adding that all of these volunteers should be recognized.
• Accepted a bid from Double S, Inc. to purchase salvage bridge materials. The company’s bid was for $2,250.
