A commissioner asked the Hardee County Board of County Commissioners to direct staff to study alternatives for wastewater disposal after noting that, except for the city system, municipal effluent in the county is currently discharged to Mosaic property under renewable annual agreements.

The speaker described the existing arrangement as long-standing and renewable on an annual basis, and warned that if Mosaic were to stop accepting effluent the county could face a significant disposal problem. The commissioner specifically cited emerging treatment challenges and standards—"PFAS out there... a lot of standards out there now that are very difficult and very expensive"—and urged the board to begin planning for disposal and treatment alternatives.

No formal vote was recorded on a directive during the meeting. County leaders acknowledged the concern and said the issue merits study. Commissioners discussed the timing of the county's annual agreements with Mosaic and the need to evaluate technology, cost, and future regulatory requirements before any disruption to current arrangements.

County staff and commissioners said they will consider the concern as part of infrastructure planning; no procurement, contract change, or funding commitment was made at the meeting.