The Miami Conservancy District has contracted with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. to conduct an expedited review and evaluation of the Miami Conservancy District’s flood protection benefit assessment methods. This study represents the initial phase of a broader effort to update the Miami Conservancy District’s flood protection benefit appraisal methodology. Stantec is a nationally recognized firm specializing in assessments and best practices for conservancy districts.
The study aims to improve the current flood protection benefit assessment methodology used by the Miami Conservancy District. The scope of work includes evaluating current procedure, exploring additional direct and indirect benefits to the broader community, benchmarking against similar agencies, and assessing alternative funding strategies.
To cover the costs of necessary, ongoing maintenance and periodic rehabilitation of the dams, levees, storage basins, and related parts of the flood protection system, the Miami Conservancy District has relied on an approach that calculated a benefit value to each property identified to be protected from high water based on the footprint of the Great Flood of 1913. That benefit value was used to determine a flood protection assessment for each protected property.
This study will identify and quantify the significant indirect benefits provided by the Miami Conservancy District ’s flood control measures, such as access to vital services and infrastructure inside and outside the 1913 flood inundation area.
The multi-year process will also engage stakeholders from across the area to ensure all perspectives and impacts are considered.
Stantec, alongside Miami Conservancy District and the Board of Appraisers, will recommend next steps toward an updated funding approach in a final report expected to be complete by the end of the year. Additional phases over several years will include additional technical analysis, stakeholder involvement, and legal and administrative procedures.
Project Scope
Task 1 - Evaluate current benefit methodology
Task 2 - Evaluate benefits to the broader community
Task 3 - Benchmarking analysis
Task 4 - Evaulation of alternate methodology & funding strategies
Timeline
May 2023 - Benefits methodology approved by MCD Board of Appraisers
February 2024 - 7th Readjustment of the Appraisal of Benefits Appraisal Record certified
March 2024 - MCD Board of Directors sets assessment rate
March 2024 - Property owners notified; Exceptions process begins
May 2024 - Readjustment process paused by the MCD Board of Directors; set assessment rates for 2025 - May 3 2024 Meeting Minutes
May 24 2024 Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2024 - Conservancy Court rescinds the 7th Readjustment of the Appraisal of Benefits
July 2024 - MCD contracts with Stantec Consulting to conduct a study of the Miami Conservancy District’s flood protection benefit assessment methods
September 2024 - Board of Appraisers meeting to discuss the study's progress September 2024 meeting of the Board of Appraisers
November 2024 - Board of Appraisers meeting to discuss the study's progress November 2024 meeting of the Board of Appraisers
November 2024 - MCD contracts with Burges and Burges to conduct a broad public opinion survey and in-depth interviews of stakeholders
January 2025 - Board of Appraisers meeting to discuss the study's progress January 2025 meeting of the Board of Appraisers
February 2025 - MCD partners with MVRPC to facilitate an Advisory Committee
Updates will be posted to this page.