Saratoga County approves biosolids digester project and $29 million additional bond authorization

The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 approved environmental findings and financing steps for a biosolids digester project for Saratoga County Sewer District No. 1, increasing the district—s maximum project cost to $97,630,000 and authorizing additional county serial bonds. The board adopted a negative declaration under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and approved an amendment that set the increased maximum project cost. The board also passed a bond resolution authorizing issuance of up to an additional $29,000,000 in serial bonds to help finance the construction of the digester facility. County leaders told the board the county and other wastewater utilities face rising biosolids disposal costs and potential state restrictions that could further increase expenses. "The cost of disposal of biosolids has doubled within the last decade," the chair of the board said, and "we expect that trend to continue." The chair also said legislation under consideration in Albany could restrict where biosolids are disposed and accelerate costs. Board members cited a prior, multijurisdictional effort with Albany County that ended when Albany County withdrew from the partnership. The chair said county staff and the sewer district have continued to examine options. The board—s filings list no direct impact to the county operating budget for the adopted items; the resolutions describe funding as included within department or district budgets where applicable. Officials acknowledged the change increases long-term county borrowing to cover a portion of the project cost. The board credited the Saratoga County Sewer District staff and its board, including Dan Roark, for work on the project. The resolutions were presented during the law and finance portion of the agenda and adopted as part of the board—s routine resolution votes.