DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Contract Amendment And Extension With Gopher Resource, LLC, For Recycling Zone Operations
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners encourages residents and businesses to properly manage hazardous waste and recyclables; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 18-634 (December 18, 2018), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized a contract with Gopher Resource, LLC, to operate a hazardous waste and recyclables site; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 23-478 (October 24, 2023), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized amendment and extension of the contract with Gopher Resource, LLC, to operate the Recycling Zone; and
WHEREAS, the County and Gopher Resource, LLC, desire to exercise the available two-year contract extension for the period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028; and
WHEREAS, Gopher Resource, LLC, agreed to the terms of the contract extension in writing on August 4, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the County and Gopher Resource, LLC will reduce the Recycling Zone’s operating hours by four hours per week beginning January 1, 2027, to align with the County’s new Recycling Zone Plus.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager, or delegate, to execute an amendment and two-year extension to the contract with Gopher Resource, LLC, for Recycling Zone operations for the period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028, subject to review and approval by the County Risk and Homeland Security Manager.
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BACKGROUND
The Recycling Zone, operated by Gopher Resource, LLC (Gopher Resource), has provided household hazardous waste and recycling services to Dakota County residents since 1997.
In 2025, the Recycling Zone managed 2.8 million pounds of household hazardous waste and 1.3 million pounds of recyclables from 68,073 participants.
By Resolution No. 23-478 (October 24, 2023), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners amended and extended the contract with Gopher Resource. The current contract term is January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2026, with one additional two-year extension through December 31, 2028. The proposed amendment would reduce weekly operating hours.
The Recycling Zone and Recycling Zone Plus will have aligned operating hours. After the Recycling Zone Plus opens in spring 2027, residents would have access to two locations. The reduced hours are expected to lower contractor labor costs by approximately $100,000 in 2027.
The proposed amendment also includes edits to align operations at the Recycling Zone and Recycling Zone Plus. Substantive changes include coordination of supply purchases, new County-developed application for data management, and County-provided training on the County’s comprehensive household hazardous waste and recycling program.
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends authorizing the County Manager, or delegate, to execute an amendment and two-year extension to the contract with Gopher Resource, LLC, for Recycling Zone hazardous waste and recycling services for the period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
The contract funding is part of the Household Hazardous Waste annual budget approved by the County Board. Reducing operating hours by four hours per week is expected to reduce Gopher Resource’s labor costs by approximately $100,000 in 2027. The 2027 County Manager’s Recommended Environmental Resources Budget includes total funding of $3,713,733 for Household Hazardous Waste. There is sufficient budget available for the Gopher Resource’s contract which is projected to be $1,683,000.
|
Fund |
Department |
Program |
Funding Source |
Proposed 2027 County Manager Budget |
|
Environmental Legacy |
Environmental Resources |
Household Hazardous Waste |
Environmental Legacy |
$3,713,733 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
18-634; 12/18/18
23-478; 10/24/23
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Contract Summary Sheet
CONTACTS
Department Director: Nikki Stewart
Author: Kristi Otterson