Becker Public Schools will be expanding its food waste collection program.
Tuesday, the Sherburne County Board approved an Institutional Source Separated Organics (SSO) Recycling Grant to Becker Public Schools in the amount of $6,500.
The school was earlier awarded a $10,000 SSO Grant for implementing a food waste collection program for their Intermediate and Primary schools.
Their program was highly successful, and according to their grant application, Becker Public Schools diverted 580, 32-gallon food waste containers (110,000 pounds) from their Intermediate and Primary schools during their 2024/2025 school year.
This new grant will allow Becker Public Schools to implement an SSO collection program for their Middle School, which includes providing containers for collecting the food waste, signage, outreach/educational materials and other related items/materials.
The funds will come from the SCORE budget, which has a $20,000 line item amount for Institutional SSO Recycling Grants.
Operation Green Light
The board proclaimed Nov. 4-14, 2025 as Operation Green Light for veterans in Sherburne County. By shining a green light, county governments and residents will let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated and supported. Since staff has the green lenses in stock and minimal staff time is already accounted for with respect to installation and removal, there are no significant unbudgeted financial implications by undertaking this action.
Broadband Amendment
The board approved amendments to Arvig Elk River and Haven/Clear Lake Broadband Grant Program agreements
Arvig received ARPA Broadband Access Program grants for several projects in 2023. The Elk River Round #1, Elk River Round #2, and the Clear Lake/Haven Round #2 projects were completed (or are very near to completion) under budget.
Staff recommended utilizing the remaining funds ($453,300) to expand the original scope of each project. The revised project scope would serve an additional 71 passings, which include 10 unserved and 61 underserved properties in Elk River, Haven, and Clear Lake.
Trail Agreement
The board approved a joint powers agreement with the City of Elk River for reconstruction of the Mississippi Trail on county right of way along Co. Rd. 30. Under the agreement, the city will pay $5,407.78 for the permanent and temporary easements for the project.
Road Reconstruction
The board passed a resolution in support of Clear Lake’s application for funding through the 2023 Local Roads Improvement Program (LRIP) for reconstruction of a segment of 90th Ave. SE between Co. Rd. 8 and Co. Rd. 55.
Because townships are required to have a county sponsor as fiscal agent between the state and township, they have requested the county provide a resolution of support.
Contract Payment
The board approved the final contract payment of $26,956.32 to OMG Midwest, Inc., dba Minnesota Paving & Materials, for the 2025 pavement resurfacing projects. The final contract amount is $3,205,027.76.
HHS Grant
The board approved and accepted the Medica County Innovation Grant in the amount of $12,600 to help create improved access to HHS services at the 10-10 Community Outpost in SE St. Cloud.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Accepted a private donation of miscellaneous toys for the waiting room area Victim Witness Services Program;
• Accepted a donation of $1,000 from Medica to the HHS Dept;
• Approved out-of-state travel for the county engineer or designee to attend the National Association of County Engineers Conference, April 11- 16, 2026, in Tarrant County, TX. Estimated expenses are $3,500.
