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Landfill supervisor warns of staffing shortages; commission agrees to advertise and to consider mini-excavator purchase
Summary
The county's landfill authority reported persistent hiring difficulties for qualified heavy-equipment operators; commissioners agreed to advertise two permanent positions, discussed hiring through the authority to offer higher pay and benefits, and heard a recommendation to buy a mini excavator costing about $112,000.
The Choctaw County landfill authority reported difficulty recruiting qualified heavy-equipment operators and said recent turnover has left the facility short-staffed. The authority recommended advertising for permanent positions and buying a small excavator for on-site work.
The landfill supervisor told the commission he has trouble finding applicants with the necessary skills and pay expectations are a challenge; he described current operations relying on older workers and part-time hires. Commissioners discussed advertising the vacancy for a minimum 14-day posting and agreed to return in June with hiring recommendations. One commissioner suggested hiring county employees part time through the authority to fill gaps.
Authority staff also described a rented small excavator that has proven useful and recommended buying a mini excavator to keep on-site; one cost figure cited for a comparable machine was about $112,000. Commissioners asked staff to examine budget lines and consider sharing ownership where appropriate; no final purchase vote was recorded in the meeting.
The commission approved advertising the positions and directed staff to return with hiring recommendations and proposed terms.
