Commissioners adopt regulation to control and remove litter in unincorporated areas

Jim Wells County commissioners on Aug. 11 adopted an order establishing a regulation to control and remove litter in unincorporated areas of the county.

Commissioners described widespread illegal dumping and curbside debris left on county right-of-way that increases landfill costs and can block drainage. Under the order, property owners or occupants will receive a 30-day notice to remove litter. If the property owner fails to remove it after notice, the county may remove the litter and place a lien on the property for costs incurred. The regulation applies to litter placed on county right-of-way or in front of private property within unincorporated areas.

Supporters said the rule is intended to deter repeated dumping and make the party of record responsible for cleanup costs. Commissioners acknowledged enforcement nuance — for example, identifying the initial dumper versus a subsequent accumulation — and said the county will start with notices and work through landlord/tenant cases on a case-by-case basis.

The court approved the order; the clerk noted an exhibit was part of the resolution packet and county staff will post the ordinance and the exhibit as required.

Why it matters: commissioners said illegal dumping imposes recurring fiscal costs on the county and creates nuisance and drainage hazards; the order creates a mechanism for the county to recover cleanup costs and to require property-level cleanup after notice.

What’s next: county staff will publish the order and implement a notice-and-removal process; the court directed county staff to post required exhibits and to begin enforcement procedures with notice before removal.