Convenience center workers request an increase in their pay

Employees who tend to the trash and garbage traffic at White County’s convenience centers attended the April 7 meeting of the Solid Waste Committee to request an increase in their pay.

Their arguments cited the important work they do for the county, the fact they are paid less than most county employed positions, and that their pay simply has not stayed up with the cost of living. One man claimed his pay was only $8.81 an hour. Despite the position being part-time, they believe the service they offer the county deserves recognition, with actual, tangible increase to their pay.

The Solid Waste Committee responded that the Budget Committee has been overviewing pay increases to multiple county positions, including the convenience center employees. Committee members could not give a specific date when these pay increases would take effect because they are still in the negotiation process.

In other business, there was also a special presentation that took place between the Steering Committee meetings that discussed a new, engaging, and organized way to perform county commission meetings.

There were three main advantages to this new, open meeting system. Electronic tablets given to committee members would allow them to vote on their tablets, which keeps matters more organized and allows the public to see who exactly voted which way. In addition, the tablets allow for a queue for speaking up on the matter, so there is less likelihood for interruptions. There are also timers that can be used for public speakers, as to assure they do not stretch a meeting past its allotted time. There is also a fourth advantage for the county clerks, as the meeting minutes would be more easily organized by the program ahead of time. The county commission was interested in the presentation proposal and will consider implementation of such technological uses in the future.

 The full court meeting will be 6 p.m., April 21, in the third floor courtroom, at the courthouse.