Kalispell extends Glacier Gold biosolids agreement; tipping fee to rise to $370 per dry ton

The Kalispell City Council approved an amendment to its Glacier Gold biosolids management agreement that extends the contract through Sept. 30, 2026, and raises the tipping fee to $370 per dry ton beginning July 1, 2025, while the city completes a dewatering upgrade at its wastewater treatment plant.

The amendment was described in a staff report from Susie Turner, director of public works, who told the council Glacier Gold will remain in operation only until the city’s dewatering project is complete. Turner said the proposed agreement also gives the city an option to terminate before Sept. 30, 2026, if it provides Glacier Gold 60 days’ notice.

Why it matters: The city is moving the amendment to avoid an interruption in biosolids handling while it installs new dewatering equipment. Councilors and staff framed the change as a stopgap measure tied to the dewatering project timetable, which staff said is anticipated to be completed by September 2026.

Details of the amendment and council action Susie Turner, director of public works, summarized the three main elements of the amendment: an extension of the agreement from April 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026; a tipping fee increase to $370 per dry ton starting July 1, 2025; and a 60‑day termination notice option to allow Glacier Gold to prepare to close. Turner said Glacier Gold is preparing to close its operations but will stay open to receive biosolids until the city completes the dewatering project.

The council approved the amendment on a roll‑call vote as part of the meeting’s business. Councilor Dowd moved to approve the amended sludge management agreement with Glacier Gold; a second was recorded and the roll call showed the measure carried with all participating council members voting aye.

Public comment and related concerns Cameron Dexter of Citizens for a Better Flathead urged the city to ensure adequate public engagement around a related matter: a proposed reclassification and potential lowering of water quality standards for Lower Ashley Creek. Dexter asked for clarity about the roles of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and whether the EPA is the final decisionmaker. Dexter also asked that the city circulate science‑backed comments his group submitted about a Lakeside County Water and Sewer District expansion and said the group would forward copies if the council had not received them.

Another member of the public asked the council to revisit emerging technologies for treating biosolids and using them as an energy source, saying they had researched the topic previously and offered to work with council members in a subcommittee to bring more information back.

Other items tied to biosolids and wastewater handling The consent agenda also included a wastewater treatment plant biosolids professional services agreement amendment to support upgrading dewatering equipment and a second reading of Ordinance 19-33, a zoning text amendment regarding pedestrian skybridges. Those items were approved as part of the consent agenda. The council President opened those items for public comment before taking the vote; no additional substantive public comments were made on the consent items during the meeting.

What’s next City staff said upcoming work sessions will further address the biosolids project and alternative service delivery and construction approaches. The city manager indicated the dewatering project and procurement strategy will be discussed at those sessions.