Soil study steers county toward sewer hookup for arena/event center; commissioners weigh costs and timing

A county soil specialist and the health department advised Saint Clair County commissioners to favor extending public sewer to the AgCenter/arena and event center rather than rely on additional temporary holding tanks.

Ashley (speaker 13), who presented the facility updates, said a percolation/perk evaluation on the 22‑acre site showed that, while a small on‑site septic could serve limited uses, sewer tie‑in to the nearby municipal system would be the best long‑term solution given recurring tank overflows during high‑volume events. "Recommendation is if there's a possibility that we can get sewer out there, we should do it," Ashley said.

Commissioners discussed practical constraints: right‑of‑way width (staff said at least a 60‑foot easement in places), the presence of lime rock in some trenches, tap fees charged by the connecting utility and whether the county could negotiate reimbursements for earlier owner‑paid tap fees, and the importance of completing any sewer work before paving Blair Farm Road to avoid future excavation of newly paved surfaces.

Ashley and staff told the commission they would pursue talks with the City of Odenville about cost and service and would pursue options to reduce per‑household cost by adding additional taps where sensible. Commissioners noted that current holding tanks near the arena are temporary storage rather than treatment tanks, each about 6,000 gallons, and emphasized a permanent solution would reduce frequent pumping costs.

Next steps: staff will continue negotiations with the city utility, gather more precise cost estimates and tap‑fee scenarios, and aim to deliver recommended contract language and a timeline for potential construction before paving schedules make later work more costly.