FORT MYERS, Fla — Lee County leaders now say they are having positive conversations with FEMA, after the federal agency stripped the county and four local municipalities of a discount on flood insurance.
“I’m very confident we’ll retain our rate,” Commissioner Kevin Ruane said on Tuesday.
The Board of County Commissioners heard an update from County Manager Dave Harner, who says he’s had several conversations with FEMA representatives in recent weeks.
Last week, FEMA gave Lee County a 30-day extension to provide requested documents.
The agency said a lack of documentation and too much unpermitted work were the reasons for the retrograde.
Lee County leaders have long denied FEMA’s accusations.
“We absolutely have the permits. We absolutely did the code enforcement efforts,” said Commissioner Brian Hamman.
County staffers reported Tuesday the county issued more than 2,000 violations for unpermitted work in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
Harner told the board he now has weekly phone calls with Florida Senator Rick Scott.
The Naples Republican has been critical of FEMA’s decision to strip the county of its flood insurance discount.
