Title
Consider approving Resolution No. 2025-087 adopting the Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan Update 2025, authorizing the incorporation of said updated Plan into the City’s Emergency Operations Plan; and take appropriate action.
Body
REQUESTER:
Emergency Management
BACKGROUND:
The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) require communities to adopt a hazard mitigation action plan (HMAP) to be eligible for various pre-disaster and post-disaster federal funding for mitigation purposes. FEMA requires that communities update hazard mitigation action plans every five years to be eligible for federal funding. The City of Farmers Branch currently has a FEMA-approved plan called the Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Plan. This Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved in 2020 as a joint plan with Dallas County, Town of Addison, City of Balch Springs, City of Carrollton, City of Cedar Hill, City of Cockrell Hill, City of Coppell, City of DeSoto, City of Duncanville, City of Farmers Branch, City of Glenn Heights, Town of Highland Park, City of Irving, City of Lancaster, City of Richardson, City of Rowlett, City of Sachse, City of Seagoville, Town of Sunnyvale, City of University Park, and City of Wilmer.
In 2024, Dallas County and the 19 jurisdictions of Town of Addison, City of Balch Springs, City of Carrollton, City of Cedar Hill, City of Cockrell Hill, City of Coppell, City of DeSoto, City of Duncanville, City of Farmers Branch, City of Glenn Heights, Town of Highland Park, City of Lancaster, City of Richardson, City of Rowlett, City of Sachse, City of Seagoville, Town of Sunnyvale, City of University Park, and City of Wilmer (The City of Irving will be developing their own plan, so they are no longer participating in the Dallas County HMAP Update) collectively updated the 2020 Hazard Mitigation Plan to be submitted and approved by FEMA in 2025.
Dallas County hired H20 Partners to assist with updating the plan and plan submittal to the State and to FEMA. In the Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2025 Update, Farmers Branch outlined a mitigation vision, goals, and objectives; assessed risk from a range of hazards; and identified risk reduction strategies and actions for hazards that threaten our community. If the City were awarded federal funding after a disaster, the hazard mitigation plan would be used to develop projects for possible funding.
Each jurisdiction that is partnering in the Dallas County 2025 Hazard Mitigation Action Plan is required to have its Council adopt the plan via Resolution.
DISCUSSION:
Adopting the Dallas County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update is important because it allows the City to apply for federal disaster funding. The Plan is a tool for the City to formulate projects to mitigate the various identified hazards (e.g., flooding, tornadoes) that can and have impacted the city in the past.
The next step is for H20 Partners to submit the Dallas County 2025 Hazard Mitigation Action Plan along with the partner jurisdictional resolutions to FEMA for final approval. Once approved, our Dallas County 2025 Hazard Mitigation Action Plan will be in good standing until its next required update in 2030.
Approved Plan Link: <https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7zh2xo3w03mbv1ou64hly/Dallas-County-Draft-HMP-Update-REDACTED-Public-Copy-05.15.2025.pdf?rlkey=p3fdaqcz8tr8458np19yipv2t&st=x42sg7pv&dl=0>
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no cost for the City to adopt the plan. Adopting the plan allows for possible allotment of federal disaster grant funds in the future.
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
1. I move to approve Resolution No. 2025-087 as presented.
2. I move to approve Resolution No. 2025-087 with modifications.
3. I move to table the issue for further study or take no action.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution No. 2025-087