Laramie City Council voted to approve two amendments to the 2015-16 budget this week, including an increase of $7000 to the established $100,000 budget for the Laramie River Floodplain Update.
Community Development Director Randy Hunt said the project, part of which would realign the Laramie River floodplain on local maps, is important because the current FEMA-produced maps are inaccurate. Due to the inaccuracy, some people purchased flood insurance that did not need to, while others who might fall within the actual floodplain and probably need the insurance have not had it.
“It’s offset a little on the new FEMA maps,” Hunt said. “This will bring it back into genuine alignment with the flood risk area. It brings it back to where people really should be paying flood insurance.”
The $107,000 price tag, though more than the current allotment in the fiscal year budget, is down from the initial price quote of $110,000.
“The price quote after several rounds of negotiation is now down to $107,000,” City Manager Janine Jordan said. “We do believe this is the best price we can attain.”
The other amendment allocated $1,700 for new furniture in the office of the municipal judge, which has not been replaced in 15 years.
The city councilors also shared updates from a few boards, including the Youth Council.
“We had a great cross-section of the community,” Councilor Joe Shumway said. “We feel very good about the young men and women who are going to be on this council.
It was very successful.”
The Youth Council, which pulls youth representatives from Laramie High School, Cathedral Home, homeschools and more, has its first event this week.
“There was a lot of hard work by a lot of people in this committee, a lot of support throughout the community,” Shumway said. “We think this is going to be a great addition to our community.”
