District weighing secondary‑clarifier purchase after first bid exceeds budget

Superintendent Dave Hughes told trustees the district has received its first proposal to purchase secondary‑clarifier equipment at “approximately $800,000,” while the current budget for that equipment is $600,000. The district is waiting on two additional proposals before deciding how to proceed and will evaluate options against the planned capital budget.

Hughes said a pilot study is providing operational data to guide decisions, including trials simulating three aeration trains versus the two currently online and an upcoming change to an MLE process. He described the pilot as helping troubleshoot plant operations and clarifying equipment needs before committing to purchase.