The Mount Vernon City Council on Nov. 24 adopted Resolution 2025‑109, authorizing the Safety Service Director to release a request for qualifications for design services tied to three potential water‑system projects: slakers and lime silos at the water treatment plant; a sodium hypochlorite treatment system to replace the chlorine dioxide system; and a water tower in the southern part of the city. The resolution was moved, seconded and adopted after staff described the technical rationale and allowed council to question specifics.

During discussion, councilmembers raised concerns they had heard from residents that switching disinfectants could lead to laundry discoloration or a 'washout' phenomenon. City staff responded directly: "Our water is safe," and said the oxidizer being proposed does not typically cause the widespread laundry discoloration seen in some isolated events (staff did not guarantee it could never happen). Staff stressed the RFQ authorizes design work only; any decision to replace the existing treatment system or to construct major facilities would require a separate council action after design and cost estimates are available. A rough, high‑end design replacement quote referenced in the discussion was about $5,000,000, while staff said systems for utilities the city's size typically run in the $1,000,000–$2,000,000 range; those were described as estimates and not firm bids.

Council members asked that design work return to them before any construction commitment is made. The resolution declares an emergency and is procedural in nature to allow the city to pursue design procurement and, later, reimbursement if bond proceeds are used.