The Miami Conservancy District is conducting a comprehensive Benefit Assessment Study to explore how we continue funding the critical flood protection system that has kept our region safe for more than a century.
Assisted by expert consultants at Stantec, this study is recalculating flood protection benefits, how benefits are distributed across the Miami Valley, and how those benefits should be reflected in future maintenance and capital assessments. The goal is to ensure that the system is funded in a way that’s fair, transparent, and equitable for years to come. Stantec is a nationally recognized firm specializing in assessments and best practices for conservancy districts.
So far, the study has analyzed data across all nine counties in the MCD’s service area and developed multiple alternatives for how benefits could be appraised. These alternatives include both existing and potential new flood protection zones based on the system design, capacity, and hydraulic and hydrologic modeling. It is taking into account things like flood risk, property location, and how different communities benefit from the system.
The study is being informed by extensive public opinion research and insights provided by a diverse Advisory Committee made up of local government leaders, stakeholders, and community voices from the nine counties included in the Miami Conservancy District boundary. Their input is helping refine the options and highlight what matters most to the people who live and work here like equity, simplicity, and clarity about how dollars are spent.
Flood protection is something we all depend on—and this study is helping ensure we’re ready for the next 100 years.
Advisory Committee
A diverse Benefits Advisory Committee—including leaders from cities, counties, hospitals, utilities, and businesses—has been helping guide this effort.
Key themes from the committee’s work include:
A call for shared responsibility across the region
Transparency in any future changes
A regional investment strategy to protect vital infrastructure for the next 100 years
Project Scope
Task 1 - Evaluate current benefit methodology
Task 2 - Evaluate benefits to the broader community
Task 3 - Benchmarking analysis
Task 4 - Evaluation of alternate methodology & funding strategies
Timeline
May 2023 - Benefits methodology approved by MCD Board of Appraisers
February 2024 - 7th Readjustment of the Appraisal of Benefits Appraisal Record certified
March 2024 - MCD Board of Directors set assessment rate
March 2024 - Property owners notified; Exceptions process begins
May 2024 - Readjustment process paused by the MCD Board of Directors; set assessment rates for 2025 -
May 10, 2024 - Conservancy Court rescinds the 7th Readjustment of the Appraisal of Benefits
July 2024 - MCD contracts with Stantec Consulting to conduct a study of the Miami Conservancy District’s flood protection benefit assessment methods
September 2024 - Board of Appraisers meeting to discuss the study's progress
November 2024 - Board of Appraisers meeting to discuss the study's progress
November 2024 - MCD contracts with Burges and Burges to conduct a broad public opinion survey and in-depth interviews of stakeholders
January 2025 - Board of Appraisers meeting to discuss the study's progress
January 23, 2025 - Board of Directors (special meeting)
February, March, April, May & June 2025 - MCD partners with MVRPC to facilitate meetings of an Advisory Committee
March 12, 2025 - Board of Directors (regular meeting)
May 22, 2025 - Board of Directors (special meeting)
June 25, 2025 - Board of Directors (regular meeting)
July 8, 2025 - Board of Appraisers meeting
July 28, 2025 - Board of Directors (special meeting)
Upcoming Meetings and Meeting Minutes
