What it means
Engineering and Mobility Director Jeff Carroll said the agreement addresses rainwater draining into the Cibolo Creek, then into a basin in the San Antonio Watershed, which is monitored by SARA.
Carroll said that when city staff receives a technical flood study, such as map revisions and floodplain development analyses, it is a two-step review process, starting with the initial review performed by city staff and/or consultants to ensure compliance with the City’s adopted flood protection standards.
Upon the city’s review and preliminary approval, the flood study is submitted to FEMA for their final review before updating FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
Under the interlocal agreement, rather than FEMA approving the submittals, SARA will, resulting in a reduced timeline for project approval, as well as local experts reviewing the plans rather than national experts.
“[SARA] is the approved FEMA technical partner, so instead of getting sent off to D.C., it gets sent to downtown San Antonio,” Carroll said.
The agreement requires approval from the city of Boerne and Kendall County, and Kendall County commissioners approved the interlocal agreement May 13.
The city also has higher regulation standards for floodplain submittals, resulting in a quicker process when moved to final approval.
What they’re saying
District 3 council member Quinten Scott asked if this agreement was a foothold for SARA to move into the Kendall County area and potentially add residents to the tax roll.
Carroll said that process would require a county election, and the agreement does not include language that would imply that direction.
City staff and council have time to review the agreement before approval.
