After Crookston Sanitation stops service, Polk County conditionally approves Northstar Sanitation license

County planning and solid-waste staff told commissioners that Crookston regional sanitation has ceased packer-truck collection service, leaving affected customers without regular pickup. In response, a Marshall County hauler, Northstar Sanitation (applicant Matt Hoehne), submitted a preliminary application to provide roll-off and door-to-door collection in Polk County.

Staff recommended conditional approval of a 2024 Polk County hauler license for Northstar Sanitation, contingent on submission of a required bond and completion of other application items. Staff said the hauler plans to route Crookston-area accounts to the Crookston Transfer Station and, where appropriate, to an incinerator or landfill depending on waste type. Staff emphasized licensure ensures haulers are bonded and insured to use county facilities.

Commissioners approved conditional licensure pending final documentation. Staff said the conditional approval is temporary until all application boxes are checked and that if routes or economics do not work, local haulers may continue to serve affected accounts.