Davie staff recommends joining Broward County regional bio solids facility; council to consider ILA in May

David Stanall, Davie Utilities Director, provided a technical briefing on bio solids handling, changing state and federal standards, and options for the town. Stanall said Davie produced roughly 3,400 wet tons at its older System 2 plant and about 864 wet tons at the newer System 4 reclamation plant in 2025, and that land-application sites for class B biosolids are diminishing statewide.

Stanall reviewed three options: continue hauling class B biosolids to distant sites (2025 hauling costs around $250,000), build a municipal processing facility (high capital and siting challenges), or join Broward County's regional thermal drying solution. He said staff's recommendation is to execute an interlocal agreement (ILA) with Broward County for the design phase, estimating Davie's long-run share at roughly 2% of facility capacity. "That 2% of the capacity would translate to 2% of the overall cost for that facility," Stanall said, and used conservative budget placeholders: approximately $50 million for design (Davie share about $1 million) and a very preliminary $500 million construction estimate (Davie share about $10 million) should the project proceed.

Council members asked about budget timing and payments. Town staff and the administrator said the contribution would be identified in the utility budget and spread over the design period. "Yes, we are preparing for that in the budget," a staff member said, and the administration confirmed the item will return in May with precise numbers and a proposed payment schedule. The council did not take a final vote at this meeting but was presented the recommendation to approve executing the ILA at a later meeting.