Fort Wright joined the 39+ other jurisdictions within Northern Kentucky in approving a regional hazard mitigation plan.
Jeff Thelen, Transportation Specialist Manager for the Northern Kentucky Area Development District presented the plan for Fort Wright. Thelen was filling in for Katie Jo Patrick, Strategic Initiatives Manager for the Northern Kentucky Area Development District.
Northern Kentucky Area Development District created this plan to educate the public about natural disasters, prepare for any disasters to hit the region, and distribute fund reimbursements from the federal government for damage caused by those disasters.
“The inherent point of mitigation planning is to mitigate losses from disaster occurrences,” the plan’s webpage states. “Some more tangible benefits from the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan are eligibility for Pre-Disaster Mitigation Funding [ . . . ], which can lower home insurance rates for homeowners in floodplains.”
LINK covered the specifics of the plan in March when Fort Mitchell approved the plan. For the plan to be valid in the eyes of the federal government, all 60 jurisdictions covered by the Northern Kentucky Area Development District must formally approve.
For Fort Wright, it was a simple decision to adopt the hazard mitigation plan.
“Really, I consider this a housekeeping item,” City Administrator Jill Cain Bailey said to council. “We have approved this plan in the past.”
City Attorney Tim Theissen also reviewed the plan and what the city was agreeing to and gave his approval.
Council approved the plan unanimously, with the exception of Council member Dave Abeln, who was absent.