The Butler County director of public works told commissioners the county has experienced repeated callouts and extensive maintenance on sewer lift stations because the current vacuum‑bowl level sensing system is old and unreliable.

Curtis Mader explained the county will replace starter controls with a wave‑control system that senses liquid directly in the pump casing rather than relying on a bowl filled by vacuum; the change should reduce callouts and make the stations more reliable. Mader said the county will standardize pumps across stations (so spare parts are interchangeable), rebuild the Augusta pump station, add bypass piping and valves to allow temporary pumping around failed stations, and plan for generator needs at sites where power outages risk basement flooding. He said in‑house staff will perform much of the labor and that quoted vendor labor was included in the agenda only as part of the estimate.

Commissioners discussed the potential for some rate increases in affected sewer districts and the county’s plan to use reserve funds for initial work where available. Mader said the quote covers three stations and the plan is to eventually have identical equipment at all stations, noting one station at Prospect already had a backup motor. Following the presentation, Commissioner Jackson moved to approve Public Works to purchase items as shown in the attachments; Commissioner Herzett seconded and the motion passed 5‑0.

Mader described the work as saving money long term by reducing emergency service calls and enabling county crews to bypass or temporarily pump around failed equipment rather than waiting for vendor service calls.