Item Description:
title
Approve Residential Waste Reduction and Recycling Funding Policy, negotiate SCORE grant agmts
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Residential Waste Reduction and Recycling Funding Policy for the period January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, be approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate residential waste reduction and recycling grant agreements for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028; that following review and approval by the County Attorney's Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreements on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
City waste reduction and recycling programs are integral to meeting county zero waste and climate action goals. To support that work, the county has funded city programs for almost 40 years. The Residential Waste Reduction and Recycling Funding Policy, last amended in September 2021, establishes the terms and conditions of distributing funds (Resolution 21-0389).
In 2024 the county provided $4.4 million in Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) program funds to cities. The state's SCORE program was established in 1989. SCORE funds are based on revenue received from the state's solid waste management tax on garbage services and are subject to change based on the tax revenue received by the state and funds allocated by the legislature.
The county has made 100% of SCORE funds available to cities in accordance with the county's Residential Waste Reduction and Recycling Funding Policy. Cities must meet several basic requirements to receive funding, including standards for program implementation, partnership on education and outreach, reporting, and performance.
A draft of the 2026-2028 funding policy was shared with the cities for their review. The draft was also discussed with city recycling coordin...
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