Organic Recycling

Q: What should cities know about backyard composting?

LMC: Composting has many environmental benefits, including conserving water and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While counties often manage large-scale composting programs, cities can play an important role in encouraging backyard composting in their communities through the following:

Share state regulations for backyard composting sites.

• A backyard composting site is limited to single family or household use and does not require a state permit.
• Materials allowed in backyard composting sites include food scraps, garden waste, weeds, grass clippings, leaves, and prunings.
• A composting site used by multiple households or within a community is considered a small composting site and is subject to additional state regulations.

Pass an ordinance regulating backyard composting sites.

• While the state regulates small composting sites, those rules do not apply to backyard composting.
• Possible ordinance provisions include size limits, material prohibitions, container requirements, and location requirements.
• Without an ordinance, backyard composting sites may create nuisance or public health concerns.

Educate residents on best composting practices.

• Composting can be a daunting task without the proper knowledge. To encourage backyard composting, cities can offer guides on benefits, required materials, soil mixing, and troubleshooting.

Learn more and access resources through the Minnesota Composting Council website at bit.ly/MCC-composting.

Answered by Summer 2026 Law Clerk Quill Graham: [email protected].

Employee Pay

Q: Are we in compliance with Minnesota wage payment timing laws?

LMC: Employers must pay employees at least once every 31 days on a regular payday, according to Minnesota Statutes, section 181.101. This rule applies even if an employee would prefer to be paid less often. In most cases, employees cannot choose a pay schedule that exceeds what state law allows.

There is a limited exception for paid-on-call firefighters, volunteer ambulance personnel, and certain first responders. These workers may be paid less frequently if both the employer and employee agree. Most other employees do not qualify for this exception.

Minnesota cities can run into compliance issues with this requirement in unexpected ways. Even when employees are paid only occasionally, such as election judges or city council members, the timing of payment still matters once wages are earned. Problems can arise when cities wait too long to process payments, pushing them beyond the 31-day window.

Election judge pay and council compensation can fall into a gray depending on how it is structured and processed. Generally, in both cases, payment should be made at least once every 31 days. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry enforces wage payment rules, making this a compliance issue that often arises with irregular payroll processes.

A payroll review helps cities correct noncompliant payment schedules proactively.

Answered by Assistant Human Resources Director Joyce Hottinger: [email protected].

Workers’ Compensation

Q: Do we need to complete a first report of injury (FROI) if the employee doesn’t seek medical treatment?

LMC: Minnesota workers’ compensation laws require employers to maintain records of all reported work-related injuries and illnesses, even when medical treatment is not sought.

In general:

• Consult with your workers’ compensation claims representative if you are unsure whether a FROI is required.
• A FROI must be submitted within 10 days of first knowledge of an employee’s injury or the date the employer becomes aware of a disability, whichever is later.
• Filing a FROI is not an admission of liability.
• Monitor the injury in case symptoms worsen, medical treatment is sought later, or the employee begins losing time from work.
• Report serious injuries promptly and follow all applicable reporting timelines. A death or serious injury claim must be reported by phone within 48 hours and a FROI must be submitted within seven days of the injury.

As a best practice, the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) recommends reporting all work-related injuries and near misses, even when medical treatment is not initially sought. Early reporting allows claims staff to provide guidance and monitor potential claim development. Timely reporting helps ensure accurate documentation and allows LMCIT to offer preventive risk management recommendations. Late reporting may result in state penalties.

Additional information about claim reporting is available on the LMC website at lmc.org/ClaimForms.

Answered by Loss Control Consultant Olivia Bontems: [email protected].