District to review director role

Jay County Solid Waste Management District’s board will reevaluate the structure of its director position.
The board learned during Monday’s meeting that director Ronyelle Edwards has accepted another part-time job that will make her unable to fulfill the district’s regular office hours. Its newly-formed executive committee plans to discuss the issue this week, and a special meeting was set for 3 p.m. Sept. 1 in order to make decisions about how to move forward.
Board members also approved the district’s 2017 budget and got an update on the upcoming free shredding day.
Jeanne Houchins, the board’s president, informed her fellow members that Edwards has accepted the new position, which, like the director role, requires her to work three eight-hour days per week. She starts her new job Sept. 6.
Edwards, who has been with the solid waste district for just over a year, offered to stay on and work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
The district office is currently open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, meaning the board would have to either find someone to fill in during Tuesday’s regular hours or modify its policy.
The executive committee — Doug Inman, Jim Zimmerman and Houchins — that was formed earlier in the meeting plans to discuss those issues as well as any salary adjustments that might need to be made if Edwards continues in her role as district director. The group will present its recommendations to fellow board members Faron Parr, Tom Johnson, Randy Geesaman and Bill Gibson at the special meeting.
The board, absent Zimmerman and Geesaman, approved its 2017 budget without any further changes.
The district plans spending of $311,2000, which is up $45,600 from the current year. The largest increases came in the form of a $12,000 grant for Arts Place’s Arts in the Parks program, $9,300 for services such as Tox Away Day and free shredding day and $5,500 for advertising.
The budget will now go to Jay County Council for its review.
Board members also finalized plans for the free shredding day scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 30. The shredding trailer will be stationed in the parking lot on the north side of Walnut Street between Court and Commerce streets in Portland across from Jay County Courthouse.
In other business, the board:
•Got a report from Edwards on her inquiries about rates for electronics recycling. She told board members she has been unable to find a provider that offers the service at a cheaper rate than its current contractor, Green Wave Computer Recycling of Indianapolis.
•Heard from district educator Bettie Jacobs that she will represent the district in the bicentennial torch relay parade through Portland on Sept. 27. Also, the Dumpster Drummers are scheduled to perform twice during the Rural America Farm and Garden Expo, which is scheduled for Sept. 7 through 9 at Jay County Fairgrounds.
•Learned from Edwards that the district brought in $19,700 in tipping fees in August on 11,392.78 tons dumped at Jay County Landfill.
•Changed its regular meeting time to 3 p.m. from the previous 3:30 p.m.
•Paid claims totaling $28,063.56.