Union County litter task force urges Keep America Beautiful affiliation, two staff positions and a cleanup grant pilot

The Union County Board of Commissioners heard a report April 14 from the county'appointed 2050 litter committee recommending the county affiliate with Keep America Beautiful and fund a coordinator, a field worker and a small grant program to help clean up illegal dumping on private property.

The committee chair, Scott Abramson, presented the recommendations and cost estimates. "We are suggesting that 2 more resources be added," Abramson said, describing a litter coordinator and a field worker to be supervised by the county's solid waste director.

The committee said affiliation with Keep America Beautiful would provide program expertise and mentoring. Bjorn Hansen, senior planner, told the board the committee had heard from other jurisdictions about the program's recognition and support.

Why it matters: Committee members said a sustained, staffed program would make litter reduction more consistent countywide, strengthen enforcement coordination among the sheriff's office, code enforcement and environmental health, and reduce the burden on private landowners who face cleanup costs after illegal dumping.

Key details and costs

- Staffing: The committee proposed a coordinator (presented salary range $60,000'$70,000 plus benefits) and a field worker (presented salary about $50,000 plus benefits). - Program materials: The committee presented a materials and marketing budget range of $30,000'$50,000 per year. - Annual program cost: The committee presented a ballpark combined annual cost range of about $200,000'$250,000, to cover salaries, benefits and equipment. - Startup and membership: Committee members described Keep America Beautiful'related fees including an initial setup fee and an annual membership (presentation cited a $1,650 start-up fee and a $1,000 annual membership). - Vehicle and maintenance: Presenters noted the program would require at least one pickup truck and ongoing vehicle maintenance and fuel; staff said pickups typically last four to six years and that replacement, insurance and operating costs would be ongoing.

The committee also recommended creating a small grant program (a $5,000 pilot was discussed in committee-level remarks) to help landowners remove dumped items from private property and to reduce the incentive for landowners to absorb those costs themselves.

Board questions and enforcement

Commissioners and staff discussed enforcement and coordination with the sheriff's office. Commissioner comments and the presentation noted that state and local laws exist to issue fines for illegal dumping but that enforcement is infrequent; Sergeant Preston of the sheriff's office was recognized by the board for follow-up work on reported dumping sites. Committee members said a county litter coordinator could follow up on enforcement actions, camera placement and evidence collection.

Several commissioners asked for more detail about the Keep America Beautiful affiliation and the services the $1,000 annual fee would secure; Abramson described that affiliation as access to experts and program support and said the fee buys mentorship and resource access across the national network.

No formal action

The board received the report and discussed priorities and costs, but commissioners did not vote on implementing the recommendations during the April 14 meeting. Staff and committee members said they would return with additional information if the board asked for follow-up.

Ending

Commissioners thanked the committee and the community volunteers for their work and encouraged staff to return with supplemental cost information and implementation options for future consideration.