Cape Coral’s discussions with FEMA concerning its “retrograded” flood insurance rating are ongoing and progressing.

“Last week our city leaders had the opportunity to meet with officials with FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management,” Mayor John Gunter said Tuesday at a press conference in his office. “Overall, the interaction were positive and constructive.”

He said one of the city’s key objectives is to seek clarification on FEMA’s requirements to retain the existing 25% discount on program premiums.

“FEMA has supplied city staff with some, but not all the request backup material we’ve asked for to assist us in illustrating our compliance,” he said. “FEMA has agreed to maintain an open line of communication with city leadership. This ongoing dialogue will be crucial in ensuring that we remain on track towards compliance.”

To facilitate this communication, FEMA has provided the city with a designated point of contact who is committed to meet regularly with city staff.

“Our hope is that this collaboration will help us address any issues promptly and effectively, help streamline our communication and help us navigate the process more efficiently. These next 30 days are critical for our city staff to stay on course. We are committed to meeting deadlines and fulfill our obligation. I am continuing to work closely with state and federal legislators to secure necessary support or assistance for Cape Coral. We are all in this together and we will emerge stronger as a community,” Gunter said.

The statement was made in the wake of FEMA’s announcement that it was “retrograding” its Community Rating System class throughout much of Lee County from a 5 to a 10, thereby removing benefits residents receive for their National Flood Insurance Program policies.

The decision meant that come October, policy holders in the unincorporated areas of the county, as well as in four designated municipalities, including Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach, not only would lose the 25% discount, but not receive any discount at all.

FEMA has placed a 30-day pause on its decision to eliminate locally the 25% discount on National Flood Insurance Program policies.