Lower ISO Rating Could Mean Lower Insurance Rates for Anna Businesses and Home Owners: On April 20, 2009 representatives from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) spent the day evaluating the City of Anna's fire fighting and fire protection capabilities.  As a result of this inspection, ISO officials issued a recommendation to the Texas Department of Insurance to lower the City's ISO rating.  City officials were recently notified that the Texas Department of Insurance has accepted the Insurance Services Office's recommendation to reduce the City of Anna's Public Protection Classification (PPC) from 7 to 4.  This new lower rating will go into effect on March 1, 2010. 
 
Many (but not all) insurers use the PPC classifications for underwriting and calculating premiums for residential, commercial and industrial properties.  A lower rating should mean lower insurance rates for Anna homeowners and business when the new rate goes into effect on March 1, 2010.  Residents and business owners are encouraged to contact their insurance companies after March 1 and ask how the lower ISO rating will affect their insurance premiums. 
 
The ISO rating is based on an evaluation of the City's Fire department and water distribution system.  The Public Works Department and Fire Department have been working for over a year to prepare for the on-site inspection.  An ISO reduction of 3 points is very commendable and both departments are  to be congratulated for helping make the reduction possible.

In addition to a reduction of the City's ISO rating, the rating for the unincorporated area outside the City Limits but still within the Anna Fire District will also be reduced to a 4/8B/10 from a 7/9/10.  This area is referred to as the Anna OPA (outside protection area).  In layman's terms, properties in the OPA that are located more than 5 miles to the fire station will be classified as 10.  Properties that are within 5 miles of the fire station but more than 1,000 feet to a fire hydrant will be classified as 8B.  Properties that are within 5 miles of the fire station and within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant will be classified as 4.  The new ratings for the Anna OPA will also go into effect on March 1, 2010.

Free H1N1 Vaccination: 
 
Collin County Health Care Services and Collin County Homeland Security will offer free H1N1 vaccine at a clinic Saturday, January 16. Walk-ins will be welcome from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Anna High School, 1201 North Powell Parkway, Anna, TX 75409.
 
Staffed primarily by volunteer members of Collin County's Medical Reserve Corps, the H1N1 vaccination clinic will provide H1N1 vaccine free of charge to the general public. No appointments are necessary.
 
H1N1 vaccine is currently available at 68 locations throughout Collin County. The public is encouraged to get vaccinated, either by their primary physician, at the January 16th clinic, or at one of the 68 vaccine locations partnering with Collin County Health Care Services. H1N1 influenza vaccine is available for no charge while supplies last at seven locations, and for an administration fee at an additional 61 sites. Most insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP, will reimburse the administrative fee.
 
The seven locations where the public can receive the H1N1 vaccine for no charge, while supplies last, include: Children & Community Health Center of McKinney, Collin County Adult Clinic in Plano; Express Health in McKinney; and, PrimaCare locations in Frisco, McKinney, Plano and west Plano. The 61 Collin County locations currently providing H1N1 vaccinations for an administrative fee include: Celina Drug; Texas Star Pharmacy; two Passport Health locations; four Care Now locations; seven Albertsons Pharmacies; 11 Tom Thumb Pharmacies; 13 Kroger Pharmacies; and, 22 Walgreens Pharmacies. The public is encouraged to call ahead to confirm vaccine availability.
 
For further information regarding local H1N1 vaccine availability, the public may utilize the following resources: the Collin County website at http://www.co.collin.tx.us/ and the Collin County Facebook and Twitter sites; the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Texas Flu Vaccine Locator at http://www.Texasflu.org; call the DSHS H1N1 information lines available by calling "2-1-1"; or, call the Collin County Health Care Services at (972) 548-5500.

 Martin Luther King Day:  Jan. 18th City Offices Closed.
 
Parks Advisory Board:  Jan. 19th Regular Meeting
 
City Council:  Jan. 26th Regular Meeting at 7:30pm