County approves SCORE grants for Sauk Rapids and Foley cleanup and compost projects

The Benton County Board approved three Solid Waste Community Recovery (SCORE) grant reimbursements for local projects sponsored by the cities of Sauk Rapids and Foley.

Sauk Rapids requested $15,467.25 in SCORE reimbursement toward a $20,635 project; the city has a long history of SCORE application and prior distributions. The board was told the city previously used SCORE funding to support similar efforts and that the city covered the final costs this year.

The city of Foley submitted two applications: (1) annual cleanup event reimbursement of $4,440 (project cost $5,920, applicant share $1,480) and (2) compost-site assistance of $7,500 (project cost $10,000, applicant share $2,500). Staff noted prior SCORE funding distributions to Foley for similar programs and that in one prior year a local business provided brush grinding at no cost.

The board discussed process: the applications had been presented directly to the board with the SCORE committee chair’s permission because two applicants needed earlier consideration than the committee schedule. Staff noted a SCORE fund balance (approximately $277,717.69 before these disbursements) and that a scheduled incoming payment would increase available funds later in the funding cycle. The board moved, seconded and approved the three grant reimbursements (recorded as "Aye; carried").