The Sedalia City Council on July 7 approved an emergency purchase of a skid-mounted solids belt press for the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant to replace an inoperable existing press.
City staff told council the plant had relied on rental presses while making piecemeal repairs; rental costs were running about $20,000 per month and were projected to exceed $300,000–$400,000 if the city continued renting while procuring a permanent system on a traditional engineering and bidding timeline (15–21 months). Staff proposed buying a 1-meter skid-mounted BDP Model 3DP press from MSD Environmental for $526,000 plus $5,500 delivery; after four months of additional rental bridging and a $7,500 trade credit for the old press, the net purchase cost presented to council was $604,000.
Staff said the purchase would reduce long-term costs and help the city comply with Missouri Department of Natural Resources requirements tied to recent plant upgrades. MSD Environmental indicated two units were available with delivery in three to four months after contract execution.
Council approved the purchase by ordinance (Bill No. 2025-117) on final passage after a roll-call vote.
The approval funds an immediate operational solution; staff indicated the purchase saves the city an estimated $200,000–$320,000 compared with continued rental, according to the figures presented to council.