The review process started Tuesday to find a new judge for the Fourth Judicial District.

The Fourth District Judicial Nominating Commission met in Salt Lake City to review applicants for the new judicial position that was created in the 2006 legislative session. The district covers Juab, Millard, Utah and Wasatch counties.

Nancy Volmer, spokeswoman for the state's Administrative Office of the Courts, said that the commission reviewed 16 applicants. It heard public comment from 8:30 a.m. until 9:10 a.m. and then closed the meeting to discuss the applicants until 10:45 a.m.

"Today's meeting was for commission members to screen names of those they'll like to interview next week," Volmer said.

The commission plans to meet next week to interview the candidates. They must narrow the field from 16 to five to send to the governor for consideration.

Applicants must be at least 25 years old. They must also be U.S. citizens, have lived in Utah for at least three years and passed the state bar exam.

The new judge would also have to relocate or already live in the fourth district. The commission does not yet know where in the district the new judge will be based.

The full-time position pays $111,050 per year.

Volmer said the salary will likely be higher because legislators approved a 3 percent raise for district court judges earlier this year.

Upon receiving the names, the governor has 30 days to select from the five applicants. The Utah Senate then has 60 days to approve or reject the governor's choice. Volmer estimates the new judge will start Aug. 1 or Sept. 1.

Natalie Andrews can be reached at nandrews@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D3.