The Utah County Commission approved a program director position in the county Health Department to oversee household hazardous-waste elimination and related pollution-prevention work.

Eric Edwards of the county Health Department told commissioners the position is a long-needed addition that would support household hazardous-waste elimination and prevent land pollution. "This is a long needed position that will help our household hazardous waste, elimination program and prevent land, pollution issues," Edwards said, adding that planning for the position began five to six years ago but was delayed by the pandemic.

Edwards said the new position would work with Northpointe, Southpointe and other waste districts, and that the position would be funded from a user-based fee fund. Commissioner Garner asked to confirm the focus on hazardous waste; Edwards confirmed that was the primary focus.

Commissioner Garner moved to approve item 12; the motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor. Commissioners did not discuss salary amounts or the specific fee schedule during the recorded discussion. Staff indicated the fund already exists and the hire would not require general-fund tax increases.

The position adds explicit oversight for hazardous-waste coordination with regional waste districts and is intended to support prevention and compliance work going forward.