New recycling location expected to open in January

Union County Board of Supervisors are expecting to open the new recycling location Jan. 6. The date was selected Monday as supervisors wanted to wait until after the holidays and have time to install signs at the former recycling locations.

Last week, supervisors approved to consolidate the two recycling locations, one in Afton and one in Creston, to the Prairie Solid Waste site east of Creston along U.S. Highway 34. The action will lower the cost of recycling services for the county and hopefully make it more efficient with use of the bins.

Supervisors are researching the creation of signs to place at the sites in Afton and Creston to inform users of the new location and the fines for people convicted of illegal dumping. Signs are also planned for the cardboard bins at the landfill site to inform users which one is full. Supervisors are hoping that will regulate the cost of emptying cardboard bins. One bin will be for glass, tin and mixed paper. There will be three bins dedicated to cardboard.

The signs are expected to be left at Afton and Creston for months.

In other county news...

After nearly two years of research, discussions and negotiations, county employees will begin a paid time off concept (PTO) starting January. Historically, county employees have had time off work recorded by category, like vacation and sick days. The county has also paid out unused vacation time to employees who have resigned. The PTO concept will not have categories but caps employees to 500 hours of paid time off over a career. For a new employee, it equates to earning 1.83 days off a month over a year.

Supervisors said the change will save the county in paying unused vacation time.

Sick time previously accrued by employees and extended into 2025 can still be used.

“It was a cooperative effort,” Supervisor Dennis Brown said about the agreement with county staff. The county researched various other entities that use a PTO concept.

Supervisors approved Casey Tucker’s offer of $300 for the lot at 308 Second St. in Lorimor. Union County Treasurer Kelly Busch said the property has unpaid taxes of $665.

Supervisors approved a bid from Excel of Des Moines for $11,089 for replacement of climate control systems at the health and human services building.

Jim Ide was reappointed to the board of health for another three-year term. His term expires Dec. 31.