The city of Hutto is moving to adopt a flood prevention ordinance after being made aware by the Texas Water Development Board that the city is not in compliance with federal law. The new ordinance establishes a series of standards and ordinances for future properties looking to develop in the floodplain defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. According to Hutto City Engineer Matt Rector, the city dropped its flood damage prevention ordinance in 2003 and has not had a plan on the records since. “We are now in compliance again with state and federal regulations,” Rector said. Council members Patti Turner and Terri Grimm asked Rector why the city dropped the flood prevention ordinance in the first place, but city staff could not provide an answer. Language in the flood prevention ordinance now dictates what can and cannot be built in the city’s flood plain, the boundaries of which are determined by FEMA. Hutto’s Flood Insurance Risk Map, or FIRM, was last updated in 2009, though an updated map is expected for adoption sometime in 2019 according to local and federal officials. Community Impact Newspaper reported earlier this month that the city of Hutto expects more properties are poised to move into the upcoming amended flood risk area than are currently in the food risk area. According to the city of Hutto, 110 platted lots that were previously not in the flood plain are now in the area of mapped flood risk, as opposed to 38 platted lots that are set to leave the flood plain. It is unclear if there are any structures located on those lots. However, existing properties either in the current flood plain or expected to enter the amended flood plain will likely not be affected by the new city flood management ordinance, per Rector. The ordinance largely concerns future development and existing structures will not be affected unless they want to make “significant improvements,” such as large house extensions. “We can’t legally say ‘You can’t build here,’” Rector said. The city engineer stated the city ordinance stipulates what you can build and how you have to build it inside the flood plain, and those standards have been established by the U.S. Congress. Rector will now assume the role of floodplain administrator for the city of Hutto as outlined by the ordinance. The Floodplain Administrator’s duties include reviewing applications and permits, among other duties. A second reading of the ordinance will be held at the next Hutto City Council meeting in January.