Workers at Huron County Landfill getting a raise

NORWALK — Workers at the Huron County Landfill are getting a raise. Huron County Commissioners approved the $4 an hour pay bump at their meeting on Thursday. Officially, commissioners approved a memo of understanding between the commissioners and the landfill/recycling facility/transfer station, AFSCME Ohio Council 8, Local 3764, and the AFL/CIO. The pay raise will be for all members of the collective bargaining unit, according to the resolution approved by commissioners. The raise for employees will take effect Aug. 13. Commissioners said the raise is necessary in order to attract and retain workers. This is the second time the landfill has been in the news this year. The employee raise comes on the heels of the county winning $179,083.92 in a landfill lawsuit against Erie County that had embroiled the two counties. Between 2009 and 2018, Huron County contracted with Erie County to have Huron County's trash hauled to Erie County's landfill. Huron County eventually became unhappy with the performance of Erie County's trash-hauling subcontractor and entered a new agreement with a different trash hauler before the contract with Erie County expired. Erie County sued for breach of contract, and Huron County countersued, claiming it was Erie County who breached the deal. A visiting judge ruled in favor of Huron County and ordered Erie County to pay Huron County more than $169,000 in damages. Meanwhile, commissioners received a presentation from Lorain Medina Rural Electric (LMRE). Presenting to commissioners from LMRE was Audrey Flood, manager of key accounts, and Reese Dunton, key accounts and economic development specialist. Flood told commissioners LMRE is a non-profit organization that was started in 1935 and said the organization has 16,000 members, 612 of which reside in Huron County. LMRE partners with local organizations on issues ranging from economic development, legislative affairs, community engagement, and youth programs, she said. Flood said she didn't want anything other than to introduce herself and LMRE to commissioners. In other business, the county's IT network administrator Joel Riedy told commissioners the county's phone system hardware is approaching its end of life. He described that as a "big ticket item." Commissioners advised Riedy to discuss budget implications with administrator/clerk Vicki Ziemba.