Fiscal Court approves first reading of MS4 stormwater ordinance

Henderson County Fiscal Court on Aug. 26 approved the first reading of Ordinance #25-10, an ordinance relating to stormwater control and the regulation of stormwater runoff under an MS4 framework. County Judge/Executive Brad Schneider and County Engineer Nick Stallings presented the ordinance; Schneider explained that MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System and Stallings told the court that such systems are regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and that federal requirements drive the need for a local ordinance. The ordinance text in the record addresses water-quality and quantity parameters, illicit-discharge detection and elimination, construction-site controls, permit procedures, enforcement and penalties. Magistrate Tompkins moved to approve the first reading; Magistrate Puttman seconded. A voice vote was held with all voting in favor and the motion carried. Why it matters: the ordinance establishes local rules and enforcement related to stormwater discharges, construction sites and illicit discharges to meet federal NPDES MS4 program expectations. Details: the court only approved the ordinanceon first reading; further readings or adoption steps are required by local ordinance procedures. No implementation timeline or fee schedule was recorded in the minutes.