PROVO — The fledgling Utah Lake Commission recently approved a $316,270.55 budget for the first year of its existence.

The commission is drawing funds for its budget from each of its 17 participating entities, including 13 participating cities in Utah County. The Utah County Commission, Central Utah Water Conservancy District and several state environmental agencies are also participating in the lake commission.

The commission, which is not a policymaking organization, has approved hiring a director for a salary of $78,000 a year. The budget allows for $45,000 worth of benefits for its employees, $1,500 in mileage reimbursements, $85,000 for consultants and $33,070.55 in contingency funds.

Members of the commission voted unanimously at a recent meeting to rent space from the historic Utah County courthouse to serve as the commission's office location.

The budget will become effective on July 1 and will last until June 30, 2008.