DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With Dakota County Soil And Water Conservation District For Lawns Reimagined Compost Grant Program
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for Lawns Reimagined Compost Grant Program.
SUMMARY
In Minnesota, metropolitan counties are responsible for waste management policy and programs to achieve state goals for waste management (Minn. Stat. § 115A.551). By Resolution No. 25-456 (September 23, 2025), the County Board adopted the 2024-2044 Dakota County Solid Waste Management Plan (Solid Waste Management Plan). The plan includes tactics to support use of compost in earthworks projects. Use of compost supports organics markets and has environmental benefits. Compost application provides moisture holding capacity for seeds during establishment and beyond and contains slow-release nutrients that prevents runoff.
The County has a food scraps drop-off program and other organics diversion programs to encourage residents, businesses, schools, and other government organizations to compost food scraps and other organic materials that can be used for many different applications, including seedbed for fine fescue seeds. Dakota County receives Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) grant funds from the State of Minnesota to implement landfill abatement programs. The County is required to expend at least 50 percent of SCORE funds that exceed the State’s fiscal year 2014 allocation on organics programming (Minn. Stat. § 115A.557). Dedicated organics programming SCORE grant funds can be used to cover the acquisition and delivery of compost to residents.
The Dakota County SWCD established the Lawns Reimagined Program (Program), which provides education and support to Dakota County residents to convert their lawns to longer-rooted, drought tolerant fine fescue lawns with lower nutrient requirements. Converting to a fine fescue lawn reduces the amount of mowing, fertilizing, and watering that is needed in comparison to conventional turf.
The Environmental Resources Department and the Dakota County SWCD have expressed mutual interest in executing a JPA (Attachment: joint powers agreement) to cooperate and coordinate activities related to delivery of compost to Program participants who elect to receive compost along with SWCD’s on-site review and follow-up visits as part of the Program, for a contract maximum of $15,000 ($5,000 per calendar year) through December 31, 2028.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends Dakota County execute a JPA with the Dakota County SWCD for activities related to delivery of compost to eligible Lawns Reimagined participants who elect to receive compost and meet Program criteria, for the period from execution to December 31, 2028.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The County’s obligation for the purchase and delivery of compost for eligible Program participants shall not exceed $15,000 (or $5,000 per calendar year). The Environmental Resources Department Operating Budget includes funds to provide compost, which is funded through dedicated organics programming State SCORE grant funds. Environmental Legacy Funds are used to meet the required 25 percent county match for State SCORE grant funds.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 471.59 authorizes local governmental units to jointly or cooperatively exercise any power common to the contracting party; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County and the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) are governmental units as that term is defined in Minn. Stat. § 471.59; and
WHEREAS, Metropolitan counties are responsible for waste management policy and programs (Minn. Stat. § 115A.551); and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 25-456 (September 23, 2025), the County Board adopted the 2024- 2044 Dakota County Solid Waste Management Plan (Solid Waste Management Plan), which includes tactics to increase the use of compost; and
WHEREAS, use of compost supports organics markets and has environmental benefits; and
WHEREAS, the County has a food scraps drop-off program and other organics diversion programs to encourage residents, businesses, schools and other government organizations to compost organic materials that can be used for many different applications, including as a seedbed for fine fescue seeds; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County receives Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) funds from the State of Minnesota to implement landfill abatement programs and is required to expend at least 50 percent of SCORE funds that exceed the State’s fiscal year 2014 funding allocation on organics programming (Minn. Stat. § 115A.557); and
WHEREAS, dedicated organics programming SCORE funds can be used to cover the acquisition and delivery of compost to residents; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota County SWCD established the Lawns Reimagined Program (Program), which provides education and support to Dakota County residents to convert their lawns to longer-rooted, drought tolerant fine fescue lawns with lower nutrient requirements; and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Resources Department and the SWCD have expressed mutual interest in executing a joint powers agreement to cooperate and coordinate activities related to the delivery of compost to Program participants who elect to receive compost along with SWCD’s on-site review and follow-up visits as part of the Program; and
WHEREAS, the County’s obligation for the purchase and delivery of compost for eligible Program participants shall not exceed $5,000 per calendar year.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners herby authorizes the Assistant County Manager: Physical Development to execute a joint powers agreement with the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District for the Lawns Reimagined Program through December 31, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $15,000 for the total joint powers agreement, subject to approval by County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
25-456; 9/23/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Nikki Stewart
Author: Renee Burman