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Frostburg staff seek $118,000 budget amendment for water-treatment chemicals
Summary
City staff told commissioners the water-treatment chemical line will need about $118,000 to carry the plant through the fiscal year after higher treatment volumes and steep chemical-price increases.
Frostburg City staff told the council during a work session that the water-treatment plant needs a budget amendment of about $118,000 to cover higher chemical and filtration costs through the current fiscal year.
City officials said the extra expense stems primarily from increased treatment volumes produced for Midland County purchases and from more frequent replacement of filter media. Staff said the additional treatment and filter replacement costs are recorded to the plant’s chemical/filtration line but will be largely offset by revenue from the extra water sales.
Commissioners were told the amendment would be brought to the council as a resolution next week. Staff said they are not proposing to draw down general savings for the item; instead, expected revenue from water-sales should offset most added costs. Staff also noted they can now order chemicals in smaller quantities to avoid extra delivery charges and will monitor monthly cost trends to limit further amendments.
The meeting included a discussion of recent national price movements for treatment chemicals. Staff reported chemical costs have “increased by over 200%” since 2021 and suggested the spike has added materially to the plant’s outlays. City staff said they will continue to track costs and may return later in the year if additional amendments are required.
Staff offered to provide technical details on specific chemical purchases and filter replacement needs if commissioners want more information before the formal vote.
