Sherburne County approves 2026 line-item budget with increases for hazardous-waste events and new recycling pilots
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Summary
The county approved its 2026 score line-item budget that increases funding for household hazardous-waste mobile events by ~27% and adds pilot programs for business organics recycling and cardboard recycling in Becker after the Boy Scouts discontinued service.
Sherburne County commissioners approved the recommended 2026 score line-item budget on Feb. 17 after staff highlighted several solid-waste and recycling changes.
Maureen, presenting for the county department, told the board the proposal increases budgeted funding for household hazardous-waste mobile events by 27 percent, citing rising participation and costs. The department also split yard-waste expenditures into two line items—one for contracted vendor services (grinding and hauling) and a separate line for site operation and maintenance for the Becker, Big Lake and Zimmerman drop-off sites.
The budget adds a pilot business organics recycling program to help category-3 establishments capture pre-consumer organics in kitchens, and a cardboard-recycling pilot for the Becker area after the Becker Boy Scouts stopped providing that service. The Solid Waste Advisory Committee reviewed the budget and recommended approval.
Commissioners asked about coordination with neighboring cities and distinctions between commercial and residential material handling; staff said Elk River has applied for a yard-waste license and county staff would continue communication if that community changes its services. With no further discussion, the board moved and approved the budget.