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Resident urges action on septic enforcement, says county lacks qualified inspector
Summary
During public comment, a resident who identified himself as a retired civil engineer described ongoing septic failures on his property, said KDHE tests showed problems and told the planning board there is no qualified local inspector; the board said septic-code enforcement and zoning changes would be addressed after the comprehensive plan is complete.
A Bourbon County resident who identified himself as a retired civil engineer used the public-comment portion of the planning-board meeting to press the board to address septic-system enforcement and perc-testing requirements.
The commenter described years of failed tests and ongoing sewage on his property, saying KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) had previously tested the site and that the county presently lacks a qualified official to inspect and enforce septic codes. "I've still got sewer running down my property," the resident said, urging the board to require perc tests on new systems or whenever a property changes use.
Board members responded that septic enforcement and code changes fall outside the immediate scope of the comprehensive-plan vendor selection and would instead be addressed later when zoning and code writing begin. Members said the comprehensive plan must be completed before they can draft zoning code changes and that step could take roughly 12 months after a consultant is selected.
The resident also asked how the public learns what topics will appear at commissioners'meetings; board members described the legal posting process through the county clerk and encouraged the use of local online groups and news sites (fortscott.biz, Bourbon County Concerned Citizens and Bourbon County Monitor) to supplement official notices.
Board members said septic and sanitation issues will likely be part of the zoning code work that follows a completed comprehensive plan and acknowledged the county's limited local resources for enforcement until those codes are in place.
