Warsaw City Council approved a multi-hazard mitigation plan for Kosciusko County during Monday night's council meeting.
The plan will allow the county to apply for funds from the federal government in instances of hazards such as flooding, and improve emergency warning systems, and protect waterways.
Ed Rock, Kosciusko County Emergency Management director, said, in 2009 Indiana, through the federal government, offered to finance the plan for the county.
The plan is a requirement of the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.
The development of a local government plan is a requirement in order to maintain eligibility for certain federal disaster assistance and hazard mitigation funding programs.
Hazard mitigation is defined as any sustained action to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property from hazards.
Federal Emergency Management Agency created Hazards USA Multi-Hazard, a geographical information system-based disaster risk assessment tool.
The tool enables communities to predict the estimated losses from floods, hurricanes and earthquakes and to measure the impact of various mitigation practices that might help reduce those losses.
Kosciusko County Emergency Management contracted Michiana Area Council On Government to facilitate the required meetings and produce the plan.
Also during the meeting, District 5 Councilman Dan Hampton received a plaque from Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins for his service on the council.
Monday was Hampton's last council meeting, as he was elected Nov. 2 to serve as prosecuting attorney.
A caucus will be Wednesday at 7 p.m. at city hall to replace Hampton.
Hampton served on the city council from October 2008 to December 2010, Board of Zoning Appeals from 2000 to 2008 and Plan Commission, Traffic Commission and Park Board from 2009 to 2010.
Also during the meeting, Wiggins presented a proclamation to Boy Scout Troop 730, Warsaw, honoring the troop for its 75 years of service.
The proclamation states Troop 730 is the oldest Boy Scout troop in Warsaw, having been chartered by the First United Methodist Church in 1935.
In other business, the council approved an ordinance for reductions to encumbrances from the funds that were appropriated in the 2009 budget to be spent in 2010 if needed.
The funds are left over money that have not been spent this year and will be put into the 2011 budget to be spent if needed.
