Commission delays vote on $76,000 jail water softener after technical questions

Sheriff's staff and county facilities personnel presented water-quality photos and test results for the jail plumbing and discussed vendor recommendations for a water softening installation. Representatives from Macaroy described options and recommended the quadriplex softener for the building. The quadriplex option was quoted at about $76,000.

City of Burlington staff confirmed routine hydrant flushing and chlorine burnouts are performed seasonally; Macaroy representatives and county plumbing staff recommended isolating and flushing the line from the main to the building and repeating flushing immediately before connecting any softener. Engineers cautioned that while a softener will reduce hardness and some sediments, ongoing maintenance and occasional filter/strainer cleaning will still be required. "The quadrlex is what they recommend. And that's $76,000," a vendor stated during the meeting.

Commissioners asked staff to gather additional information (photos, flushing logs and an isolated-line flush with the city), to confirm bids and to return with a formal motion and contract language at a later meeting rather than vote immediately; the board said the procurement could be placed on next week's agenda or postponed to allow more information to be collected.