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Board backs pilot to grind and market county sheetrock; directs cash‑neutral contract protections

Becker County Board of Commissioners · March 3, 2026

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Summary

Commissioners approved a pilot to bring in a grinder to process stored sheetrock into agricultural gypsum, authorized up to $10,000 mobilization funding, and asked staff to negotiate contract terms that aim to make the pilot cost‑neutral and to return with a revised contract.

The Becker County board approved a pilot project to grind stored sheetrock (gypsum) on site and market the material for agricultural use, with an initial mobilization payment of up to $10,000 to bring contractor equipment to the county.

Solid‑waste staff (speaker 7) described a vendor that operates a grinder and has prepared similar material near the Twin Cities; the vendor would inspect stored sheetrock for acceptability, grind it into totes, and market it to farmers as a soil amendment. The board discussed moisture/mold concerns and contract details including a desired revenue share for the county and time limits to remove processed material.

Commissioner (speaker 2) and others requested a contract that is projected to be cash‑neutral; speaker 7 said the mobilization cost would be recouped through sales and that the vendor’s projection anticipated breaking even once material is marketed. The board approved moving forward, directing administration and the environmental services committee to finalize a contract with language that protects county finances and sets a reassessment date by year‑end.

Relatedly, the board also approved soliciting a contract to produce a statutorily required 2027–2037 solid‑waste management plan; staff will return with vendor pricing and the adopted plan will be used for permitting and long‑range budgeting.

Next steps: administration to finalize the vendor agreement for the sheetrock pilot with cash‑neutral provisions, mobilize the grinder, and return a final contract to the board; staff will also execute the selected contract for the 2027–2037 solid‑waste management plan.