Increasing the current flood levy by one mill appears to be headed to the voters in November.

At a special meeting of Ironton City Council’s finance committee, the three members unanimously voted to ask council to adopt a resolution that would place the issue on the ballot in the fall as a replacement flood levy at 2 mills for five years.

Currently there is a flood levy of one mill that brings in $140,000 a year and will expire at the end of tax year 2015.

“But with all the necessary improvements that the (Army) Corps of Engineers are saying needs to be done, we need additional funds to accomplish this and to keep our floodwall certified,” Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship said.

Because more funding is sought, the flood levy will be put on the ballot as a replacement instead of a renewal of the current levy. The replacement levy will bring in more than $280,000 a year.

Now city officials have to convince the voters to pass the levy.

“If the floodwall is decertified by the Corps, that would require the residents of Ironton to purchase flood insurance on their own,” Blankenship said. “What we want to do as a city and council is educate the public on why this is needed. It is not for raises. It is for maintenance and upkeep for the 1940 floodwall, the pumping stations and the lines. All of this is crucial for flood protection to Ironton.”

The federal government administers flood insurance and they determine the flood plains.

County Auditor Jason Stephens, who is co-owner of Stephens and Son Insurance Co., said flood insurance could run into thousands of dollars a year in premiums. The premium is determined on the elevation of the house within the flood plain.

“Folks who own in the city of Ironton don’t have to deal with what folks out of Ironton have to contend with,” Stephens said. “Ask anybody in Rome or Proctorville. They know about the impact of flood insurance and flood plain. The floodwall around the City of Ironton is a blessing for the city. It does save houses from being flooded not only physically but financially and with insurance, it is a cost property owners don’t have to deal with.”

Ironton Council will meet in a special session at 6 p.m. Monday to consider resolutions to put a replacement floodwall levy on the ballot. Deadline is Aug. 6 for the board of elections to act.