Gila County leaders are considering updates and amendments to the floodplain management ordinance – and are accepting public comments.

The Board of Directors of the Gila County Flood Control District will hold a public hearing for adoption of a proposed ordinance amendment on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at 10 a.m. in the Gila County Courthouse, Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 1400 E. Ash St., Globe. The hearing will also be livestreamed on YouTube (find that link at gilacountyaz.gov).

Read about specific changes, and invitations for public comments, here: https://www.gilacountyaz. gov/government/public_ works/floodplain/index. php.

Gila County’s floodplain management ordinance was last amended in 2015.

The proposed ordinance amendment and a summary of changes are available for viewing at these locations:

Public Works Administrative offices, 745 N. Rose Mofford Way, Globe.

Flood Control District office, 608 E. State Hwy. 260, Payson, and online, right here on Gila County’s website https://www.gilacountyaz.gov/government/public_works/floodplain/index.php.

Floodplain areas identified in the ordinance are subject to periodic inundation that has resulted in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services – plus extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base.

Amendments that are proposed for adoption are primarily designed to:

* Protect human life and health.

* Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects.

* Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public.

* Minimize prolonged business interruptions.

* Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in regulatory floodplains.

* Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of regulatory floodplains to minimize future flood blight areas.

* Ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in a regulatory floodplain.

* Ensure that those who occupy the regulatory floodplains assume responsibility for their actions.

* Participate in and maintain eligibility for flood insurance and disaster relief.