Village seeks piggyback contract for lime sludge hauling after current vendor proposes 60% increase

Wellington staff recommended Council authorize use of a Boynton Beach piggyback contract with Devlin Site Paving and Utilities for lime sludge hauling and disposal, citing a substantial price advantage.

Staff explained the village operates a lime softening plant that generates lime sludge that must be hauled off periodically. Purchasing reported the incumbent vendor proposed a 60% price increase, which would raise costs by roughly $80,000 per year. Purchasing located an alternate piggyback contract through the City of Boynton Beach with Devlin Site Paving and Utilities at $19.98 per cubic yard, down from the village’s current $24.90 per cubic yard.

"So instead of a 60% price increase with the current vendor, we're gonna get a 20% discount with the new vendor," staff said. Staff recommended approval of the piggyback contract and said village staff have worked with the vendor previously.

Council members asked about the timeline for phasing out the lime plant as the village expands membrane treatment capacity; staff said the village is still targeting 2028 for full phase‑out but noted additional membrane projects and cost escalations could affect timing. Staff described a strategy of incrementally increasing membrane capacity and using scheduled annual outages of the lime plant to extend membrane usage.

No formal vote was recorded during the agenda‑review session; staff presented the recommended contract alternative for Council consideration at the formal meeting.