St. Johns commissioners accept Merrell Bros. unsolicited biosolids plan, direct competitive procurement

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to accept an unsolicited proposal from Merrell Bros. to design, build and operate an enclosed biosolids treatment facility and directed staff to conduct a competitive procurement to solicit alternate proposals and negotiate an interim agreement.

County staff introduced the item and industry representatives described a statewide capacity shortfall after recent legislative and market shifts reduced traditional land‑application and landfill options. Dustin Smith of Merrell Bros. told the board the company was proposing a “50,000 wet tons solution” to treat biosolids inside an enclosed facility, a design the presenters said would reduce odor and create a pasteurized product suitable for sale as fertilizer.

Commissioners pressed the company and staff on cost estimates, capacity assumptions and contract terms. Commissioners sought clarification on the capital cost discrepancy between the company’s estimate and the county consultant’s higher engineering estimate; asked how much out‑of‑county material, if any, would be imported; and asked staff to analyze lease assumptions and any language that could shift long‑term financial or legal risk to the county.

Residents and community groups filled the public‑comment period. Some speakers, particularly neighbors of the Indianhead compost site, pressed for faster relief from persistent odor and supported enclosed treatment; others raised questions about traffic, siting, property values and said the board should require a full public hearing and open competitive solicitation. One resident asked the board to “direct staff to re‑assess the central alignment” for a related trail matter and linked broader transparency concerns to the biosolids debate.

After hearing company answers and public testimony, a commissioner moved to accept the unsolicited proposal and simultaneously direct staff to issue a competitive solicitation and evaluate alternate proposals. The motion passed 5-0. County staff said the next steps include preparing solicitation language, negotiating interim agreement terms if appropriate, and returning to the board with recommendations. Commissioners and staff agreed to return with more detailed cost, lease and legal analyses before any final long‑term agreement.

The board’s vote does not itself authorize construction; it moves the project into a more formal procurement and negotiation stage and preserves public notice and oversight steps required under state and county procedures.