Council approves CDL requirement and interim pay plan for solid‑waste route driver, contingent on commissioners’ sign‑off

The Dubois County Council voted to approve wages outlined by the Dubois County Solid Waste Management District director so the district can require a commercial driver's license (CDL) for its route‑driver position and attract qualified applicants.

Carla Striegel Winner, director of the Solid Waste Management District, told the council the district has three full‑time employees and that requiring a CDL would align the position with county highway starting pay (about $23.08 per hour). She said the district can cover the remainder of 2026 costs from existing line items because the current driver has been on unpaid leave, but that going forward the commissioners will need to include the higher ongoing wage in future budgets.

Council members discussed classification issues, whether the position should be LTC‑4 or LTC‑5 under the pending wage study, and liability questions related to requiring a CDL. The council approved a motion to accept the director's proposed wage change subject to formal approval by the county commissioners at their next meeting; staff will bring a salary amendment back to the council after commissioners act.

What happens next: the Solid Waste District will advertise the CDL‑required position, and the payroll change will be processed after county commissioners' approval and a subsequent council salary amendment.