Burnet considers buyouts for high-flood risk properties
This house on Oak Street in Burnet was one of several that was severely damaged in the Fourth of July weekend flood. The city is considering using a voluntary federal buyout program to acquire properties like this to ensure that future residents aren’t living in high-risk flood zones. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
Burnet city leaders are considering using a federal program that would allow for a split-cost buyout of properties severely damaged by the Fourth of July weekend flood. The program is completely voluntary, and it would ultimately be up to the property owners to decide whether or not they wanted to make a deal.
According to Burnet City Manager David Vaughn, 13 properties in the city have been identified as substantially damaged in the flood. The owners of 10 of those properties have expressed interest in a potential buyout; however, the City Council is still determining the best course of action to move forward.
“At this point, the council has not 100 percent committed to do this,” Vaughn told DailyTrib.com. “Many of these properties could technically be rebuilt, but it wouldn’t be financially viable.”
The buyouts would be through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Emergency Watershed Protection program. Under this program, the USDA would cover 75 percent of the cost of purchasing a high-flood-risk property, with the city of Burnet, a partner entity, covering the remaining 25 percent. The purchase would be made at fair market value of the property before any flood damage occurred, and again, it would be totally voluntary based on the owner’s decision.
“Buyouts are effective in preventing future damage, make residents safer, and protect communities,” reads a USDA report on the nature of the EWP program. “Once purchased, the land is returned to a natural open space where it provides the added benefit of absorbing storm runoff, reducing future flooding, and providing wildlife habitat.”
Vaughn said it might not be possible for the city to buy out every property that applies for the EWP program, but he believes it could help alleviate a burden on the city and assist a few property owners in tight spots following the flood damage.
“We’re all built to want to help, but we have to be fiscally responsible with the community’s money,” he said. “But, if we buy these properties out, it means we don’t have to worry about people getting flooded out or endangering first responders during those events, or using city resources when that happens, so there is a public purpose and justifiable reason to utilize public funds.”