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Newton County appoints certified floodplain manager after review of SRA donations and training needs
Summary
After a lengthy discussion about floodplain duties and the use of $25,000 annual Sabine River Authority donations, the court appointed Ena McDaniel as certified floodplain manager and directed staffer Courtney to pursue CFM credentials by end of 2025; the court also discussed using SRA funds for training and outreach.
Newton County Commissioners Court reviewed the county’s Flood Damage Prevention Order (adopted Aug. 22, 2018), discussed floodplain administration duties and the county’s handling of annual $25,000 donations from the Sabine River Authority (SRA), and appointed a certified floodplain manager.
The discussion reviewed the floodplain administrator’s duties—reviewing permit applications, addressing code violations and coordinating recovery—and explained that while state law does not require certification, FEMA and some grant processes can involve certified floodplain manager (CFM) credentials. County staff said $25,000 per year from the SRA has been budgeted for floodplain management; some funds were used for staff pay and training and the remainder rolled into the general fund. Commissioners expressed concern that the funds had not been consistently used for outreach and certification as originally intended.
The court recorded a motion to appoint Ena McDaniel as the county’s CFM and to have Courtney continue working in the role while obtaining CFM credentials by the end of 2025; compensation and pay adjustments were to be handled by the judge’s office. The motion passed by voice vote. Court members said they will consider using SRA funds to support training and certification and noted the county’s responsibility when responding to FEMA and other federal/state application questions.
Court minutes show participants urged clarity about the county’s official floodplain designee and better use of donated funds for public education and manager certification. The court also noted it has one certified manager on staff (Gina McDaniel, per transcript) and asked legal staff about whether the court or the judge should formally designate the county floodplain manager going forward.
