DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreements With Eight Cities And Dakota County Drug Task Force For Pharmaceutical Collection Program
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners supports public safety and the protection of public health and the environment; and
WHEREAS, the nonmedical use and disposal of prescription drugs are growing problems in the United States; and
WHEREAS, expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals or over-the-counter medications from households have traditionally been disposed of by flushing them down the toilet or drain, which can cause pollution in wastewater and which has been demonstrated to cause adverse effects to fish and other aquatic life; and
WHEREAS, pharmaceuticals are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse; and
WHEREAS, removing expired or unwanted pharmaceuticals from the possibility of potential abuse and keeping them out of the environment are important goals; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 11-514 (October 18, 2011) the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized an interim collection program for unused, unwanted, or expired pharmaceuticals by installing drop boxes in the cities of West St. Paul and Burnsville and at the Dakota County Law Enforcement Center in Hastings; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 13-042 (January 22, 2013), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized staff to implement a pharmaceutical drug collection program for the collection and proper disposal of pharmaceuticals, including controlled substances, by installing secure drop boxes at the cities of Apple Valley, Eagan, Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, and South St. Paul to expand on the program already in place at the Dakota County Law Enforcement Center in Hastings and at the West St. Paul and Burnsville Police Departments; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 18-324 (June 19, 2018), and Resolution No. 22-335 (August 23, 2022), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized continuation of the program; and
WHEREAS, the program collected 11,500 pounds of pharmaceuticals in 2025, compared with 1,200 pounds in 2011; and
WHEREAS, the joint powers agreements authorized in 2022 expire on December 31, 2026, and Eagan, Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul and the Dakota County Drug Task Force want to continue participating in the program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager, or delegate, to execute separate joint powers agreements with the cities of Eagan, Farmington, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul and the Dakota County Drug Task Force to continue the pharmaceutical collection program for the period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2030, subject to funding approved by the County Board in annual budgets and approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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BACKGROUND
The Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 authorized the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to regulate collection and disposal of unused medications and permits voluntary collection in secure drop boxes operated by law enforcement agencies and pharmacies.
Joint Powers Agreement Terms
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Party |
Responsibilities |
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Dakota County |
Obtain required federal and state approvals; purchase and install drop boxes and signs; provide containers for unacceptable materials, including sharps; select disposal facilities; and pay disposal costs. |
|
Participating cities |
Provide secure locations; maintain drop boxes; collect, weigh, package, and store medications and unacceptable materials; and transport collected medications to the Dakota County Drug Task Force facility. |
|
Dakota County Drug Task Force |
Securely store collected medications until disposal; transport medications to the disposal facility; and provide a pickup location for program supplies. |
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorizing the County Manager, or delegate, to execute separate joint powers agreements with the eight participating cities and the Dakota County Drug Task Force to continue the pharmaceutical collection program for the period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2030.
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FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
Funding is part of the Household Hazardous Waste annual budget approved by the County Board. The proposed 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 pharmaceutical disposal which is projected to be $3,800. Future funding will be requested in annual Environmental Resources Budgets for the term of the agreements. The Drug Task Force contributes the transportation and staff time for the pharmaceutical collection program.
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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
11-514; 10/18/11
13-042; 1/22/13
18-324; 6/19/18
22-335; 8/23/22
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement
CONTACTS
Department Director: Nikki Stewart
Author: Kristi Otterson