Processor says it will fund sewer hookup, signs agreement with city to address odor; county board receives update
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Summary
A local processor reported it has signed an agreement with the city and will pay 100% of engineering and construction to connect to municipal wastewater to address odor issues; the county board heard the update, was told bids are expected in February and construction would start in spring to be operational for the 2026 season.
Dan Sheehy, a project representative, told the Stevens County Board the company known in the record as Fresh has signed an agreement with the city to carry out a city‑hookup wastewater project intended to reduce odors from the facility.
Sheehy said Fresh will pay “100% of it” — meaning the engineering and construction costs — and that the agreement includes language ensuring Fresh will pay the same sewer rates as other city customers. He said the county and city engineers have been working together and bids are hoped to go out in February, with construction to begin as soon as the ground thaws so the hookup is operational for the 2026 season.
The presenter described a two‑part approach: Fresh will continue to operate its existing lagoon as a pretreatment pond while adding additional plant equipment to clean effluent before discharge. Sheehy said the intent is to clean out carrot fiber and avoid anaerobic pond conditions that he and his consultants believe are the source of the odor.
Commissioners asked where project funds would come from and were told Fresh will cover the costs and that any household or other city customers hooking up later would pay standard connection charges. Sheehy said Fresh would provide mainline hookups but individual property connections would be homeowner responsibilities.
Board members pressed about neighborhood impacts and noted some residents along County Road 22 had expressed interest in connecting to the new sewer line. Sheehy said he has met with neighbors along the route and that several had already expressed interest.
The board received the update; no formal county funding commitment was requested or approved at the meeting. The presenter said the infrastructure will be turned over to the city at project completion and the city will assume ownership and future maintenance.
What happens next: Sheehy said design work is ongoing and the project would be bid in February; construction would start as conditions allow with the goal of being operational for the 2026 season.