Commissioners approve biosolids hauling contract renewal amid community concerns about Indianhead Biomass odors

St. Johns County commissioners on May 20 authorized an amendment to the county’s biosolids hauling contract with Merrell Bros., Inc., exercising three one-year renewal options, and at the same meeting agreed by consensus to ask state health authorities to test soils near residences affected by odors from Indianhead Biomass. Bryan Matus, Purchasing Manager, presented Contract Amendment No. 4 to Master Contract No. 23-GSA-MER-18029. The board adopted Resolution No. 2025-179 on a motion by Commissioner Christian Whitehurst, seconded by Commissioner Sarah Arnold, carried 4–0 with Commissioner Krista Joseph absent. Several residents raised concerns during public comment about persistent odors, compliance and possible contamination from Indianhead Biomass; Damian Rainey, Debra Pueschel and other speakers described multiple violations and expressed worry about public safety. Commissioner Whitehurst said staff had discussed proposed fixes with the owner of Indianhead Biomass and requested board consensus to ask the Florida Department of Health or another agency to test soils in Morgan’s Cove to verify whether residents had been exposed to toxins; the board gave consensus to pursue testing. At the contract discussion, some commenters urged a one-year renewal term at the existing unit price; Trent Turner suggested a one-year renewal at a unit rate of $106.26 while others favored the three-year renewal to lock in capacity and price. Blake Merrell of Merrell Bros. made himself available for questions. County staff and commissioners discussed balancing the benefit of locking in a multiyear rate and capacity against community concerns and maintaining contractual flexibility to cancel if needed. The resolution approved the contract amendment with Merrell Bros. and authorized the county administrator, or designee, to execute the amendment; the revised unit price is recorded in the contract amendment document but was not cited verbatim in the transcript. The board’s action preserves hauling capacity while staff and commissioners pursue testing and continued oversight of Indianhead Biomass compliance.