Court reviews three recycling service models; staff recommends program coordinator option

Polk County staff presented three implementation options for county recycling services and asked the court to select a structure and funding level.

Option A would create a full program manager plus part-time attendant, with higher recurring costs (estimated total-year cost about $119,000). Option B would place a program coordinator within the environmental office who would share administrative duties and process materials; staff said Option B is feasible within the current proposed budget and could operate largely as self-service with targeted assisted hours. Option C would maintain a part-time employee and keep administration as a secondary duty, which staff described as the least robust approach.

Staff recommended Option B as a budget-feasible path to more consistent hours and improved collection outcomes; commissioners discussed volunteer support and phased implementation. The court did not finalize a hiring decision at the July 28 meeting but directed staff to incorporate the chosen option into subsequent budget work.