Stone Harbor to Hire Consultant Due to Expected Drop in CRS Score

STONE HARBOR – Stone Harbor Borough Council, at its Jan. 17 meeting, heard that the municipality’s Community Rating System (CRS) score might drop from its current class 5 to a class 7 or even 8.
The CRS score is based on actions a community takes with respect to its floodplain management practices to exceed the minimum levels set by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The rating system is on a scale of 9 (lowest) to 1, with every rung on that scale earning the community’s property owners a 5% discount on flood insurance premiums. The maximum discount for a level 1 score is 45%.
The highest scores in Cape May County are in Avalon and Sea Isle City, both of which have a rating of 3, meaning a 35% discount on NFIP policies. 
Stone Harbor’s current 5 rating translates to a 25% discount. A drop to a level 8, if that should occur, would lower the discount to 10%, a significant difference in an era where the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a new rating system for premiums.
Stone Harbor officials have known for some time that their rating was going to decline. At an Aug. 2, 2022, council meeting, officials discussed the expected loss of significant points that the borough gained by adopting Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps following Superstorm Sandy. The bonus points FEMA awarded for accepting the maps had a known 10-year life span. The points expire May 1, 2023. 
The purpose in hiring a consultant is to identify alternative actions the borough can take to regain points prior to its five-year CRS cycle review with FEMA scheduled to take place in September.
Councilwoman Jennifer Gensemer said the Administration and Finance Committee that she chairs will make this a priority, reporting on it regularly at council meetings.
The resolution to formally hire the consultant is expected to be brought forth at the Feb. 7 council meeting.