For most La Conner property owners, flood insurance is a big deal – and it’s about to become an even bigger one.

On Tuesday, after spending thousands of town dollars in staff time to comply with Federal Management Agency’s Community Rating Service requirements over the years, the Town Council voted unanimously to cut bait and drop out of the program because it is costing too much in bureaucratic paperwork.

Despite months of town work, the FEMA program downgraded the town’s flood rating this year. That means homeowners’ flood insurance rates in town will go up a little more.

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