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Committee forwards mechanic‑hiring proposal with county‑paid CDL training to salary-and-labor committee
Summary
Staff presented two mechanic candidates and proposed hiring a candidate without a CDL if the county pays for CDL training and the hire agrees to a multi‑year retention/reimbursement clause; the highway committee voted to forward the proposal to the salary‑and‑labor committee.
LaSalle County highway staff told the committee they have difficulty filling a diesel‑certified mechanic position and presented two candidates: one without any CDL and one with a Class B license. Staff recommended a proposal to hire a candidate without a CDL and provide county‑funded training to obtain the required CDL, with a contractual requirement that the employee remain employed for a set period or reimburse training costs.
The presenter described the proposed terms: the county would likely pay for the training and require the new hire to stay for five years or reimburse training costs if they left earlier. "We'd probably pay for the training," the presenter said, adding that the requirement would be to remain for five years or reimburse the county if the employee leaves before completing that term. Committee members asked whether the union would accept a lower starting rate or other adjustments; staff said the proposal would go to the union and that salary and labor would review details.
Committee members discussed practicalities: if a candidate with a Class B license can upgrade to Class A quickly through DMV testing, that was seen as a near‑term path; staff noted some CDL programs cost about $4,500 at a local community college in examples discussed in the meeting.
The committee moved to forward the hiring proposal, training plan and draft terms to the salary‑and‑labor committee for bargaining and final approval; the motion carried by voice vote. Staff will return with a salary‑and‑labor packet including proposed wages, training cost estimates and contract language for review.
