Kaufman County holds MS4 stormwater-management workshop; staff to bring fee schedule next week

Kaufman County commissioners on Tuesday received a workshop briefing on the county's MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) stormwater pollution prevention plan and the department's plan to implement inspections, developer education and complaint response.

Engineering staffer Jeremy Mungin and stormwater inspector Carrie explained that stormwater is the runoff that carries sediment, trash and other contaminants to creeks and rivers. Staff said the county submitted its MS4 permit application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and is moving forward with an implementation plan while TCEQ completes its review.

Staff outlined an inspection and enforcement model that relies on county inspections, developer compliance with stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWIPs) and referral to TCEQ for enforcement when required. County presenters said TCEQ remains the ultimate enforcement authority; county staff will aim to be "boots on the ground" for routine inspections so regional TCEQ staff can focus on higher-level enforcement.

Commissioners were told the county would push an education program for developers, cities, county crews and residents, and that staff will track large-site packets, notices of intent and notices of termination for developments. The stormwater team said it plans a five-year implementation timeline and expects to return to commissioners with a proposed fee schedule for reviews and site inspections next week to recover administrative costs.

No ordinance or fee was adopted during the workshop; commissioners indicated support for proceeding with implementation and for staff returning with the proposed fee schedule for formal consideration.