City staff told the council that five bids were received for the new wastewater treatment plant and that the low bidder, Southern Constructors, submitted $42,700,000 — under the city's estimate.

Staff said paperwork recommending award to Southern Constructors has been submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the other funding partner from the water sector and that both must concur before a final award. "We need concurrence from USDA and the water sector because remember we got the 7 and a half million from water sector," a staff member said.

Staff said the next council meeting will include introductory ordinances for the USDA loan and bond authorization that will fund the project; staff said the bond sale was estimated for October and that construction should start by year‑end if funding and award proceed on schedule. Staff provided a construction timeline of 620 days for the new plant, plus roughly 100 days to demolish older plants and complete final work.

Councilors praised the bid results and asked that staff and the mayor finalize the award paperwork. No final contract was awarded at the meeting; staff said the council can act even if USDA concurrence has not yet arrived, but final award requires the funders' concurrence.