Stormwater, environmental resources outline MS4 duties, stream maintenance and expansion of household hazardous waste services

Scott Lindeback, stormwater manager, told commissioners the county manages the Wichita Valley Center flood control project (MS Mitchell Floodway), a Phase II MS4 permit with KDHE and reviews subdivision drainage plans. He said the department maintains about 37 miles of priority streams (Little River, Big River, Chester Creek and Cowskin Creek) and inspects bridges and culverts; a recent culvert inventory found about 25% need attention. Lindeback said the department requested roughly $2.5 million for 2026 and noted a reduction in personnel expense on the department slide driven by budget allocations outside of flood control. He warned the flood‑control entity has not yet billed the county for heavy equipment usage (an amount discussed during the hearing as roughly $370,000 per year of county share), and that a future county permit with KDHE (expected in 2028) could change reporting requirements. Susan Erlingwein, Environmental Resources, summarized mandatory and nonmandatory work: solid‑waste facility inspection and licensing, supporting household hazardous waste (HHW) programs, electronics and tire collections, education and work with conservation districts on agricultural water quality. She said Sedgwick County has more than 200 active contaminated groundwater sites and is expanding the HHW swap‑and‑shop area; that expansion, funded by an interfund transfer, will increase the 2026 budget authority for Environmental Resources and is expected to save about $69,000 annually by reducing contractor disposal costs. Erlingwein said most of the division’s revenue comes from a dedicated solid‑waste fee on property bills; general‑fund support is limited. She also described threats including higher contractor fees, fuel costs and natural‑disaster response wear on county equipment used for disaster debris and limb disposal. Commissioners asked about culvert and bridge inventories, interfund billing for equipment and partnership with the conservation district; department staff said they would report further details as projects move into CIP and grant applications.