Hoping to better protect environmental resources and better prepare for a natural disaster, Salt Lake County leaders are proposing two new positions.

For June's midyear budget adjustment, Mayor Peter Corroon is requesting an environmental coordinator to promote things such as recycling, xeriscaping and an emergency-preparedness director to plan for "The Big One."

The salary for the first job would be $50,000 to $60,000 a year, while the latter would be $75,000 to $90,000.

The County Council must sign off on the spots, which could be funded initially through surplus money.

Doug Willmore, chief administrative officer for Salt Lake County, argues that through more efficient practices, the posts will pay for themselves.

If, after two years, they don't, Corroon pledges to erase the new jobs.

"We can make a difference, not just with the environment, but with savings," Willmore said about hiring a green guru. "Most environmental measures save you money because you're reducing resources [used]."

Besides putting a lid on water use, the mayor hopes to cut down on air pollutants.

He also wants comprehensive plans in place, including agreements with cities and private companies such as Costco and Sam's Club, if disaster strikes.

Perhaps the biggest key, Willmore notes, is getting a contract with the LDS Church to use its network of buildings during an emergency.

"The goal of this position is to start all that work," he said. "Just in case."

Davis County officials recently crafted a deal with the LDS Church to use its meetinghouses as emergency medical outposts in a crisis.

Corroon, who needs five council votes to create the jobs, plans to make his pitch for them Tuesday.

Councilman Michael Jensen, who also is deputy chief of the Unified Fire Authority, says he would "probably be sympathetic" to the request.

"After Katrina, in particular, the LDS Church along with other denominations have really put an emphasis on being prepared," he said. "We're being inundated with emergency-management requests."

Councilman Marv Hen- drickson has questions about the move.

"How does this change from what we're doing presently?" he asked. "Do we need another head in there to do the job? That's questionable."

djensen@sltrib.com

Goals for emergency preparedness director

l Reach agreement with LDS Church to share facilities.

l Sign contracts with Costco and Sam's Club for crisis management.

l Coordinate natural-disaster plans with cities.

Green goals

l Improve Jordan River waterways.

l Buy alternative-fuel vehicles.

l Increase bike lanes.

l Trim energy and water consumption by 15 percent.