Purpose:

The Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group was established per the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to develop policies and procedures that will permanently reduce the risk of future losses. It serves as a bridge between local growth and emergency plans, land development regulations, building codes and other ordinances.

AUTHORITY:

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act)

44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 201.

MEMBERSHIP:

Agencies appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Each agency appoints a voting member and an alternate member.

The Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group consists of the following 14 agencies:

  • Highlands County Board of County Commissioners
  • Central Florida Regional Planning Council
  • City of Avon Park
  • City of Sebring
  • Town of Lake Placid
  • Florida Department of Health
  • Florida Forest Service
  • Florida-Georgia District Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
  • Orange Blossom Baptist Association
  • School Board of Highlands County
  • Sebring Airport Authority
  • South Florida State College
  • Spring Lake Improvement District
  • Sun 'n Lake of Sebring Improvement District

Terms:

Each agency is appointed on an annual basis.

MEETINGS:

Meetings are held at least quarterly, or more frequently based on need.

View the Highlands County Multi-Hazard Local Mitigation Strategy.

Kelsey Whidden

Highlands County Board of County Commissioners

Mitchell Thomas

Highlands County Board of County Commissioners

Curtis Knowles

Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Jerri Sackett

Central Florida Regional Planning Council (alt)

Chief Andrew Marcy

City of Avon Park Fire Department

Thomas King

City of Avon Park (alt)

Stephen Kramer

City of Sebring

Scott Noethlich

City of Sebring (alt)

Charlette Ganas Rodriguez

Town of Lake Placid

Kevin McCarthy

Town of Lake Placid (alt)

Lorie Jackson

Florida Department of Health

Jennifer Hood

Florida Department of Health (alt)

David Grubich

Florida Forest Service

Josh Watkins

Florida Forest Service (alt)

Rev. Richard Norris

Florida-Georgia District Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

Vacant

Florida-Georgia District Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (alt)

Robert Hall

Glades Electric

Cindy Walker

Glades Electric (alt)

Bill Trucano

Orange Blossom Baptist Association (chair)

Vacant

Orange Blossom Baptist Association (alt)

Willie Hills

School Board of Highlands County

Toby Cribbs

School Board of Highlands County (alt)

Andrew Bennett

Sebring Airport Authority

Terry Elders

Sebring Airport Authority (alt)

Keith Loweke

South Florida State College (vice chair)

Peter Elliott

South Florida State College (alt)

Clay Shrum

Spring Lake Improvement District

Vacant

Spring Lake Improvement District (alt)

Boz (Raymond) Bossert

Sun 'n Lake of Sebring Improvement District

Jamal Baskin

Sun 'n Lake of Sebring Improvement District (alt)

Kelly Ashworth

AdventhHealth

Vacant

AdventhHealth (alt)

Kathleen Border

Ridge Area ARC

Lisa Kinchen

Ridge Area Arc (alt)