Sugar Land approves stormwater coalition ordinance, sets fees for MUD participation

The Sugar Land City Council on June 16 approved first reading of Ordinance 2402 to rename the city code article for water and wastewater and add a new division formalizing a stormwater coalition with participating municipal utility districts (MUDs). The ordinance sets a one‑time application fee of $5,000 and an annual fee of $2,500 per coalition member.

Christian Eubanks, the city’s environmental manager, described the coalition as a TCEQ‑recognized partnership to consolidate overlapping MS4 permit obligations for entities in the same geographic area. "A coalition is a partnership recognized by the TCEQ between entities in the same geographic area to jointly manage stormwater," Eubanks said, adding the interlocal agreement includes indemnification language intended to limit additional city liability and clarifies responsibilities such as complaint response and training for MUDs.

Councilmembers asked how many MUDs might join and what would happen if some choose not to participate; Eubanks said the city had been approached by two MUDs so far but participation is voluntary under TCEQ rules. Several councilmembers urged staff to encourage broad participation to promote consistency across the city’s jurisdiction. The motion to approve was made by Councilmember Miller and seconded by Councilmember Single. The first reading passed 6–0.

If approved on second reading, staff said the interlocal agreement and fee structure will allow the city to reduce duplicated effort among permit holders and pursue joint project coordination and funding with coalition members. Staff told council that the ordinance would return for a second reading on July 7 and that the interlocal agreement would be on the July 21 agenda for council consideration.

Action: motion to approve Ordinance 2402 (mover: Councilmember Miller; second: Councilmember Single); vote: 6–0.