Discussion at the McDonald County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday centered on floodplain management.
Last year, the county hired Bob Corcoran as floodplain administrator. At Wednesday’s meeting, community members expressed concern that his salary was cutting into the budgets of other services like the sheriff’s department and prosecutor’s office.
John Fitts asked the commission three questions: Did the county vote to establish the position, was Corcoran certified to fill the position and could Corcoran demonstrate that he had saved the county and county residents money?
McDonald County voted in the spring of 1999 to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program administered by FEMA. This program requires someone to be designated locally. In McDonald County, that person is Corcoran.
Prior to Corcoran’s June 11, 2008, start, the county attempted to meet FEMA requirements through the assessor’s office. Interest in the program has increased in the past 10 years and Assessor Laura Pope told those present that her office would have had to hire someone to fill the job anyway. Prior to Corcoran’s appointment, the commissioners hired Tri-State Engineering for a few months, but said the costs of an engineering firm are high.
The county was in danger of losing the insurance program altogether if they did not comply with FEMA regulations.
Corcoran’s position is split between responsibilities for floodplain management and economic development.
Sam Gaskill, interim presiding commissioner, said the county saved money by hiring Corcoran to do both jobs.
Last spring, the McDonald County Community Development Council was dissolved and the MCCDC responsibilities were folded into the new position. During the last year of its operation, the MCCDC had an estimated budget of $60,000.
“We were able to hire Bob at half that amount for county planning and flood administration,” Gaskill said.
Corcoran’s position pays $30,000 a year.
“We’re not creating a new job,” Gaskill said. “We’re doing it better now.”
Fitts asked why Monnie Sears, a certified floodplain manager, was not hired for the position. The commission pointed out Sears is otherwise employed full-time. He has assisted Corcoran on the weekends with the drawings at a reduced rate from what his firm would charge.
In a conference call with a SEMA official, Fitts was told that certification was not required. The Association of State Floodplain Managers, the only certifying body, is a private organization and membership is optional. Corcoran has attended training with the state.
