Mixed reaction to biosolids contract renewal
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The Yuma City Council renewed their contract with biosolids company AgTech, which drew mixed reactions.
Biosolids have been a growing concern among the Yuma community.
It was a unanimous vote, but there was a long discussion between Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls and the rest of the council members before they cast their votes.
AgTech Operations Manager Kevin Good said he’s thankful for the votes.
“We’re grateful to receive approval on the contract for another year. We’ve been servicing the city for 40 years AgTech’s name,” Good expressed. “Again, family since we’ve acquired AgTech has continued on the tradition of taking care of the biosolids for the City of Yuma.”
In the call to the public, three out of nine speakers voiced their frustrations regarding biosolids, saying they need to be moved outside of Yuma County.
AgTech says it uses Class B biosolids as a soil amendment to grow livestock feed crops.
The company says this is the intended use for Class B biosolids and a practice that’s widely used in agriculture across the country.
But in the call to the public… Three out of nine speakers voiced their frustration regarding “Biosolids”.
The Lemon Grove owner Tyler Woodman questions their use.
“The city is building a modern biosolid treatment plant that was going to be producing class A bio solids. And that’s something interesting because Yuma doesn’t actually bring any class A biosolids. Class A is the cleanest category,” Woodman said.
Mayor Nicholls explains why he cast his vote in favor of renewing the contract.
As for Yuma County, leaders announced they have a seat on the Biosolids Study Committee that was created by the Arizona Legislature.
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