This year’s State of the City celebrates the team of dedicated professionals who day in and day out provide the high-quality services and amenities we depend upon, and which are at the very core of why we choose to call Bellaire home. In reviewing their recent accomplishments, what really stands out is how city staff have managed to overcome persistent staffing shortages and leadership changes in maintaining our “Forward Progress.” That’s the theme of my presentation, and it represents both their significant achievements and the promise of even more good things to come. It’s my pleasure to share with you the highlights of the past year for each of our city departments, and a preview of what we can expect for 2023.
February 7, 2023
February 3, 2023
Verification Report for Restoration of CRS Rating, Flood Insurance Discount
More good news! Following the recent cycle visit that FEMA required for our application for a two-class modification, the Insurance Services Office has tallied the results and determined we’ve met all prerequisites to be restored to our prior Community Rating System classification of 7. Once ISO’s verification report is accepted by FEMA, we’ll be getting back our flood insurance discount—15% across the board—and we’re told it should go into effect this October 1.
That we were able to gain reentry into the CRS program within just one cycle (Class 9, last April), and then to qualify for this reclass (to a 7) so soon thereafter, is truly unprecedented. It is the direct result of untold hours of hard work put in by our Building Official and Interim Assistant Director, Christian Somers, and his team including our consultants at Tetra Tech. We’re talking about a very detailed and time-intensive process, and the significance of their accomplishment cannot be overstated.
As noted above the flood insurance discount associated with Class 7 is 15% for all policyholders. Previously that’s what it was in Zone AE, covering the vast majority of Bellaire, but it was only 5% in Zone X, outside the special flood hazard area. Under Risk Rating 2.0, which is completely independent of our (or any community’s) CRS classification, there’s no longer that distinction. However, each property is now priced based on its own unique risk, and so individual results, even within the same flood zone, may vary.
The swift restoration of our CRS status brings to a close what has been an unfortunate chapter for our city. Of course it doesn’t excuse the mistakes of the past, but at least they’ve been rectified at the earliest possible opportunity. Christian and his team are to be commended for taking ownership of this problem they’d inherited, and for their tireless efforts in getting it resolved.
That we were able to gain reentry into the CRS program within just one cycle (Class 9, last April), and then to qualify for this reclass (to a 7) so soon thereafter, is truly unprecedented. It is the direct result of untold hours of hard work put in by our Building Official and Interim Assistant Director, Christian Somers, and his team including our consultants at Tetra Tech. We’re talking about a very detailed and time-intensive process, and the significance of their accomplishment cannot be overstated.
As noted above the flood insurance discount associated with Class 7 is 15% for all policyholders. Previously that’s what it was in Zone AE, covering the vast majority of Bellaire, but it was only 5% in Zone X, outside the special flood hazard area. Under Risk Rating 2.0, which is completely independent of our (or any community’s) CRS classification, there’s no longer that distinction. However, each property is now priced based on its own unique risk, and so individual results, even within the same flood zone, may vary.
The swift restoration of our CRS status brings to a close what has been an unfortunate chapter for our city. Of course it doesn’t excuse the mistakes of the past, but at least they’ve been rectified at the earliest possible opportunity. Christian and his team are to be commended for taking ownership of this problem they’d inherited, and for their tireless efforts in getting it resolved.
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