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Clark County moves Solid Waste program from Public Health to Public Works
Summary
Clark County announced at the Solid Waste Advisory Commission meeting that solid waste operations and outreach now report to the county Public Works department; compliance responsibilities remain with Public Health while budget and coding transitions continue.
Ken Leder, the county Public Works director, told the Solid Waste Advisory Commission on May 1 that Clark County’s Solid Waste program has officially moved from Public Health to Public Works.
Leder said the move is intended to align solid waste with other utility-like services that Public Works manages, and to leverage Public Works’ capital planning and fleet forecasting. "Solid Waste is no longer under Public Health, but now under Public Works," Leder said. He added that compliance functions will remain with Public Health: "I will say as far as compliance, that will stay with public health so that that's not moving."
The change is already in effect, Leder said, but several behind-the-scenes items — budget coding, account transfers and other administrative steps — remain to be completed. "The transition period is gonna take a little bit, for us to get all the pieces in place," he said, and invited commission members to contact him or county staff with questions.
Leder framed the transfer as consistent with practice in most Washington counties: he said only two of the state's 39 counties do not house solid waste within public works or similar operational departments. He described Public Works’ experience managing enterprise funds and multiyear capital forecasting as a reason the department is a natural fit to support solid waste operations and long-range infrastructure planning.
Commission members asked about Leder’s background and local ties; he said he started with Clark County in 2002 and rose through engineering and management roles before becoming director. The discussion included assurances that existing public health work on compliance will continue and that the move is primarily an operational and organizational realignment.
The presentation did not include specific dates for completion of budget transfers or other administrative steps. Commission members were invited to contact county staff if they want individual briefings as the transition continues.
