Freeport council adopts emergency grease-trap ordinance to protect wastewater system

The City of Freeport City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 25 to adopt an ordinance adding fats, oils and grease (FOG) controls to chapter 20 of the municipal code as an emergency measure to address an ongoing consent order and apparent system damage.

The ordinance, identified in discussion as ordinance 2025-08, was presented by staff as necessary to satisfy a 7‑year-old consent order and to stem continuing harm to the city’s wastewater infrastructure. The city attorney urged adoption on a single-reading emergency basis "in the best interest of the city in light of DB's consent order and the continuing damage to the city system," saying the measure "comes to a bona fide emergency for the safety of the city system." The council approved the emergency adoption by unanimous voice vote.

Council members and staff said the ordinance will be accompanied by implementation documents and refinement to enforcement procedures after adoption. The city attorney noted that some operational details typically follow initial adoption and that refinement will continue in subsequent months. The clerk confirmed the mayor must sign the ordinance to make it effective.

The council recorded the motion as carried by unanimous vote. Staff said adopting the FOG-control rules is intended to help the city close the outstanding consent order; city staff and outside consultants will work on implementation plans and reporting to regulators.

The council's action was procedural: the emergency adoption provides immediate regulatory authority; specifics about enforcement schedules, fines, inspection procedures and timelines for compliance were not detailed at the meeting and were described as to be developed in follow-up materials.