Elkhart County landfill cuts hours due to staffing shortage

 

GOSHEN, Ind. -- The Elkhart County Landfill will be cutting down hours of operation due to a staffing shortage, according to the Elkhart Truth.

New reduced working hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. were approved by the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners on Monday.

Prior to the change, the landfill was open from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. between May and November.

Under the new schedule, Saturday shifts will come to a halt at the end of October.

The original hours required two shifts of workers, while the new schedule will only require one, according to Landfill Manager, John Bowers.

According to Bowers, the Elkhart County Solid Waste department has been searching for two workers for the past six months, and recently loss two operators within a matter of days.

With another worker planning to retire this year, Bowers main focus is to meet state requirements and keep the landfill operational.

Bowers also added that the solid waste department is taking any  job applications.

Commissioner Suzie Weirick says that the county is working on pay increases to help attract and keep employees.