Submitted By: Noel Cooper
presenter
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
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Department: Engineering
FORMAL TITLE:
title
Resolution 2026-15 to approve and adopt the Marion County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, .
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
body
BACKGROUND:
The City of Ocala (City) participates in the voluntary National Flood Insurance Community Rating System (CRS) developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The City of Ocala is a Class 3 Community and is currently undergoing its triennial verification. As a Class 3 community, property owners in the City of Ocala qualify for a discount on their flood insurance. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) receive a 35% discount on their Flood Insurance. Also, properties in Non-Special Flood Hazard Areas (Non-SFHA) receive a 10% discount on their Flood Insurance.
One of the areas for receiving credits for the CRS is having a flood warning and response plan. The 2025 FEMA Coordinator’s Manual lists the following as one of the required credit criteria for a flood warning and response plan (Activity 610):
“The community must have a flood warning and response plan that has been adopted by the community’s governing body or by an office that has been delegated approval authority by the community’s governing body….If the plan is prepared at the borough, county, or parish level, it must include or be adopted by the individual communities seeking credit for it.”
In the previous CRS verification, the City earned 235 points out of the maximum 395 points available for Activity 610. As we work to earn credits to move up in the program, any reductions in previously earned credits would make this goal difficult. More importantly, earning credit under Activity 610 is a requirement for Class 4. Loss of the Activity 610 credit would result in the City moving back to Class 5. In previous verification cycles, the City formally adopted Marion County’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) and included the adoption in documentation for the Activity.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Marion County’s CEMP addresses the CRS-required flood warning and response plan and was adopted by the City in the previous verification cycle. The City needs CRS Activity 610 credits to maintain its Class 3 status in the current verification cycle. Staff recommends adoption of Marion County’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
This resolution has been reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny
RESOLUTION 2026-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA ADOPTING THE COMPREHENSIVE EMERGENCY MANAGEMNT PLAN ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, authorizes and empowers the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of the State Emergency Management Act; and
WHEREAS, Section 252.38, Florida Statutes, requires political subdivisions of the State of Florida, including Marion County, Florida to adopt a comprehensive emergency management plan; and
WHEREAS, Rule 27P-6, Florida Administrative Code, further requires counties, including Marion County, Florida, to adopt and implement a comprehensive emergency management plan; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with said Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and Rule 27P-6, Florida Administrative Code, the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida, developed and has revised from time to time a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan which has been reviewed and approved by the State of Florida, Department of Emergency Management; and
WHEREAS, most recently on or about August 20, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida, adopted the revised Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 252, Florida Statutes, and Rule 27P-6, Florida Administrative Code, do not require municipalities to adopt comprehensive emergency management plans but instead permit their adoption, provided that they comply with the plans adopted by the State of Florida and the county in which the municipality exists; and
WHEREAS, routinely throughout the year, as well as prior to and during any emergency situations, the City of Ocala, Florida, and its staff routinely work in close coordination with the Emergency Management staff designated by the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida, and in accordance with said Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida, has reviewed the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida, and has determined that said plan adequately and effectively meets the needs of the City of Ocala, Florida; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida, desires to adopt the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida, as its own; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida, finds and determines that the adoption of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida, serves a public purpose, protects the health, safety, and welfare of and is in the best interest of the City of Ocala, Florida, and its citizens.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA as follows:
Section 1. Adoption and Incorporation of Recitals.
The City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida, adopts the above-outlined recitals and incorporates them herein as part and parcel of this resolution.
Section 2. Purpose and Authority for Resolution.
This resolution is adopted for the purpose of adopting the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida, for the City of Ocala, Florida, and is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by Chapters 166 and 252, Florida Statutes.
Section 3. Adoption of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
The Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida, on or about August 20, 2024, as may be amended from time to time and attached hereto as Exhibit 1, is adopted by the City of Ocala, Florida, as its own comprehensive emergency management plan as permitted by Section 252.38, Florida Statutes.
Section 4. Direction to Staff.
A copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded to the State of Florida, Department of Emergency Management, and the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida.
Section 5. Effective Date of Resolution.
This resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED, with a quorum present and voting, by the City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida this __________ day of March 2026.
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Ire J. Bethea Sr.
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney