The committee on July 30 authorized a joint resolution to execute an agreement with Alfa Laval Inc. of Houston, Texas, in the amount of $203,475 to perform critical maintenance and reconditioning on the belt filter press at the Mill Creek Water Reclamation Facility.

Public Works Director Austin McFarland told the committee the belt filter press—mechanical equipment that removes water from semi‑liquid material to produce a dewatered ‘‘cake’’—has operated for more than 20 years and needs replacement parts. McFarland said Alfa Laval is one of the few vendors known to the department qualified to perform the reconditioning, and that the item had been presented to the county’s sole‑source committee for approval before committee action.

McFarland said the county’s longer‑term plan is to move away from belt filter press technology and install a centrifuge at the site, but that change may take a couple of years. When asked about warranties, McFarland said department staff would check warranty terms and report back. On how long the repairs should last, he said the large drum was replaced about six years ago and that the county has been "patching it as we go," reinforcing the decision to pursue a full technology replacement in the future.

The committee approved the motion (moved by Kasban, second by Roberts), and the motion carried. No roll‑call vote was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The contract is intended to maintain operations while the county plans and budgets for eventual replacement of the dewatering technology with centrifuge equipment.