Residents press Nueces County on ditches, county engineer outlines maintenance plan

Residents at the Aug. 11 commissioners court public-comment period described chronic drainage problems and illegal dumping in rural sections of the county. One resident asked who is responsible when drainage crosses municipal limits (Robstown). Another, Terry Burgess, said volunteers currently pick up debris and mow roadside areas.

The court declined to answer during public comment but asked staff to follow up. Judge Barbara Canales said staff had already received the photographs and would map the locations in GIS and determine responsibility and possible immediate clean-up options.

County Engineer Juan Pimentel confirmed he will give a detailed drainage report on Aug. 16. Pimentel described current efforts: ditch-cleaning and culvert maintenance in northwest subdivisions (Broad Acres, Valley View), use of rented equipment ("Great Oz" mowers/backhoes cited), limited county mowing capacity (eight mowers, two cycles per year), and only two environmental/code-enforcement officers covering large areas. He pledged to coordinate enforcement rounds and to convene local players to create short-term and longer-term plans.

The judge told residents to submit photos and thumb drives to staff; Melissa Munguia and public-works staff said they will help coordinate and that Juan will lead a follow-up presentation.

Quote: Terry Burgess said, "We even mow the county road" to describe local volunteer clean-up efforts.

Next steps: Juan Pimentel will present a full drainage plan on Aug. 16; staff will use GIS to map problem ditches and bring together public works, enforcement and neighboring cities to determine responsibility and interim clean-up steps.