Miramar agrees to $3.475 million design commitment for regional biosolids facility, securing 18,785 wet‑tons capacity

Deputy Utilities Director Rolando Taylor asked the commission to approve a second interlocal agreement and Miramar's participation in a regional biosolids management facility led by Broward County. The city's $3,475,000 commitment would reserve 18,785 wet tons per year of design capacity (about 6.95% of total design capacity) and jointly fund conceptual and design work for an advanced treatment facility.

Taylor described the regional strategy as a response to shrinking land-application and landfill options and said the conceptual study recommended thermal drying to produce Class A biosolids and reduce disposal volumes. He said the design phase is estimated at $50 million and construction at about $570 million; Miramar's proportional share of the anticipated construction cost was described as roughly $39.25 million if the partners proceed to build.

Taylor said the regional facility could reduce per‑wet‑ton operating costs compared with current practice: the study estimated about $50 per wet ton vs. Miramar's current cost of roughly $111 per wet ton. He said Miramar could sell unused capacity if it does not need the full reserved amount as growth changes.

Commissioner Sherazard and others asked about current Miramar biosolids capacity (staff cited year‑to‑year variation) and the timing; staff said design is expected to take 24–30 months and construction could begin as early as 2029. The commission voted to approve the resolution.

Ending: The commission approved the design commitment; staff will monitor project schedules and return with implementation steps as the joint process proceeds.