Changes taking effect next year in the National Flood Insurance Program could affect the premiums that some Douglas County property owners pay.

Douglas County commissioners will hear a presentation Wednesday about the impact of those changes, which are the result of a new federal law known as the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012.

Traditional property insurance policies provide coverage for a variety of natural disasters, but they do not cover damage caused by floods.

The flood insurance program, established in 1968, offers flood insurance in communities that participate in the program and agree to adopt and enforce certain flood plain management policies. The policies are offered through private insurance companies.

The program is administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which establishes premiums based on where the property is located and its relative risk of being flooded.

The reform act of 2012 called on FEMA to make a number of changes aimed at making the program more financially stable, including raising premium rates in some areas to reflect the true risk of flooding.

Douglas County participates in the program, and in November county commissioners were informed that their efforts meet or exceed the minimum federal requirements.

On Wednesday, officials from FEMA’s regional office in Kansas City, Mo., will report to commissioners on how those changes will specifically affect Douglas County.

Commissioners will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Douglas County Courthouse.

Also Wednesday’s meeting, commissioners will meet in executive session with county counselor Evan Ice to discuss legal matters considered protected by attorney-client privilege.

In other business, commissioners will:

• Consider approval of a supplemental agreement between the county, city of Lawrence and Kansas Department of Transportation regarding the interchange construction project at Bob Billings Parkway and Kansas Highway 10.

• Consider approval of a county resolution establishing maximum charges for authorized tow service providers and for tow providers towing a vehicle without the prior consent of the owner or operator of the vehicle.

• Consider approval of notices to the Clinton Township Board for a cereal malt beverage licenses for Clinton Marina and Clinton Submarina.

• Accept the low total quote from Mid-States Material in the amount of $73,532.50, and authorize the Public Works Director to approve an increased rock quantity up to 15 percent of the total contract amount for channel restoration on a structure at 554 E. 1750 Rd., about a mile north of Baldwin City.