“From dumping on the sides of roads in the county easement or on private property instead of taking items to an approved dump site, it’s bean ongoing countywide crackdown on illegal dumping on roads and at private property during the March 9 meeting.
“Illegal dumping is becoming a big problem,” Kuester said. Precinct 1 Constable Roy Kuester updated the De-Witt County Commissioners Court on his progress in coming a costly problem. The wind blows it on other people’s property.”
Kuester said that progress is being made in identifying individuals responsible for the problem and enforcing laws aimed at correcting the behavior. The widespread presence of cameras at businesses and residences has helped, he said.
Kuester said in one case after finding a load of refuse dumped along a road, he went to a business with a camera and was able to discover the responsible party. The video showed a truck going down the road loaded with the materials, then later coming back empty. He said the owner of the truck was located and issued a summons.
Kuester said the problem is both countywide and statewide. The illegal dumping has included construction materials, brush, sacks of garbage, old furniture, appliances, tires and other refuse, he said. Sometimes, people load garbage sacks and brush in the back of trailers and do not tie them down, letting it blow off on the side of the road, he added.
Kuester noted the penalties vary from a Class C Misdemeanor to State Jail Felony and in some enhanced cases a Third-Degree Felony. The amount and weight of the dumped materials determine the severity, especially if there is a repeat offense, and violators can also be assessed the cost of the cleanup.
Kuester said he is spearheading the county’s cleanup efforts with all officials’ cooperation because environmental quality is a priority he embraced upon taking office in January 2025.
In other action, the court:
• Approved the appointment of a committee to manage the redesign of the county website to bring it into American Disability Act compliance. A website is considered not ADA compliant if it lacks accessibility features that prevent people with disabilities from accessing its content. Common problems include missing alt text for images, non-functional keyboard navigation, low color contrast, and lack of video captions.
• Learned the Texas Commission on Jail Standards report found the county’s jail to be in compliance with no deficiencies.
• Proclaimed April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
• Approved property tax delinquency messages will not be available for sending by texts.
• Approved no through traffic truck signs on Old Gonzales and Ed Blackwell Roads will be symbols instead of words.
