Washington County recently opened a county run compost site located in the City of Hugo that is 4.2 miles from the current City of Forest Lake Compost site. With the two sites being located in close proximity the city is evaluating closing the Forest Lake site and directing residents to the new Washington County Site.
The Washington County site will accept the same materials (leaves/brush) currently accepted at the Forest Lake Compost site and it will also accept organic materials. The county site is open year round and there is no charge for residents to drop off materials at the site.
The closing of the City’s compost site would save the city’s general fund approximately $30,000 annually due to reduced staffing expenses, disposal costs, and fuel savings. Additionally, the closing of the site will free up 800 hours of public works staff time allowing them to get additional work completed in the city. However, if the site is closed the city would no longer have a ‘resident only’ site and there would be additional travel time for some residents to the get to the county site.
As part of the evaluation process, the city is asking for resident feedback on the possible closure of the site. Please take a moment to fill out the survey (linked below) to provide the city with your input regarding the possible closure of the city’s compost site.
Staff report [Link to pdf staff report]
Washington County Site Materials
Washington County Organics Collection
Compost Site User Survey