By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District approved an unpaid COVID-19 policy for the depot during a Feb. 15 meeting.

Discussions on establishing a policy for employees at the depot who become sick with the virus first began in January. This approval comes after a Feb. 1 meeting in which county commissioners established guidelines for county employees regarding unpaid leave if they have COVID-19 or are a close contact of someone that tests positive.

Board Member Rick Swaim asked why the time within the policy was unpaid. He said he thought employees who need time off for COVID-19 related matters should get paid.

“This just gives them (employees) an option because if they didn’t have paid time off available, you’d virtually get terminated,” said Kosciusko County Recycling Depot Director Tom Ganser. “They could use paid leave or comp time if they so choose.”

In other business, Steve Smith, Whitley Environmental president, attended the meeting to present a document regarding an annual increase with the district’s contract. Smith said the increase is based on a municipal cost index.

“The cost of labor, everything is up,” said Smith.

Ganser told the board he would like more time to look at the proposal and asked it be taken under consideration. The board will vote on the proposed increase at their March meeting.

The board also moved to have its slate of officers remain the same for 2022, with Brad Jackson as president and Bob Conley as vice-president.

The board’s next meeting is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 15.