On June 17, 2025, the Granite County Board of County Commissioners convened to discuss significant changes to the solid waste management budget, focusing on the potential elimination of the project manager position. This meeting highlighted ongoing budgetary constraints and the need for more efficient management of solid waste operations.

The primary discussion centered around a proposal to remove the project manager role from the solid waste budget, which would save the county approximately $26,000 annually. The commissioners argued that the current structure, which includes a project manager acting as a liaison between container site attendants and the commission, is inefficient. Instead, they suggested that the commission should directly manage the solid waste operations through the site attendants, who already hold supervisory roles.

The history of the project manager position was reviewed, revealing that it had been created in 2017 but had faced challenges in staffing and responsibilities. After the resignation of the initial project manager, the administrative duties were transferred to the treasurer's office, complicating the management structure. The commissioners expressed that the elimination of the project manager would streamline operations and allow for better oversight of solid waste management.

During the meeting, concerns were raised about the implications of transferring responsibilities for Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitting and compliance to the commission. Some commissioners questioned whether the financial and regulatory duties associated with solid waste should fall under the commission's purview, given the expertise required for such tasks.

The discussion concluded with a consensus to further explore the legal and operational ramifications of the proposed changes. The commissioners agreed to revisit the motion in the following week, indicating that while the proposal has merit, careful consideration of the responsibilities and potential impacts on solid waste management is necessary.

This meeting underscores the ongoing challenges faced by local governments in balancing budgetary constraints with effective service delivery. The proposed changes to the solid waste management structure reflect a broader trend in government operations toward increased efficiency and direct oversight, which could have lasting implications for how services are managed in Granite County.