The Union County Quorum Court agreed Thursday to create five new jobs in the Solid Waste Department.
The vote was unanimous outside of two justices who were not present, Greg Harrison and Cecil Polk. With the elimination of work details from the county jail, the department was unable to keep up with the county’s needs. Five people were already hired on a part-time basis, and their positions will be expanded to allow them to work full-time.
County Judge Mike Loftin reported that on Tuesday, the committee formed last November to review county officials’ background checks will meet to begin those reviews. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on the 4th floor of the courthouse. The committee members include Loftin, Union County Sheriff Ricky Roberts and Justices of the Peace Cecil Polk and Justin Hendrix. After the reports have been reviewed, the committee will meet with county officials to discuss their respective offices’ results.
Background checks began to be required after the Quorum Court approved a new ordinance. The change caused issues with the Tax Collector’s Office, with Tax Collector Paula Beard and Conor Gleason, the now former executive administrator in her office, voicing objections to the ordinance on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. They also objected to Loftin receiving all the background checks, an issue solved by the forming of the committee.
After several months of issues, including Gleason initially refusing to turn over a completed form authorizing a background check and his pay being withheld as a result, Gleason resigned earlier this month “to quell the threats and contemptable legal actions that would be levied against the Tax Collector’s Office,” according to a statement from Gleason after his resignation. The court then voted to issue Gleason his full back pay.
Extension Agent Robin Bridges announced that the 2018 Master Gardener Training Class will be hosted by Union County. Starting Feb. 1, the class will meet from 1-5 p.m. on Thursdays for eight weeks. The class costs $80 and will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in the meeting hall.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 862-6611 or [email protected].