County commissioners approve hiring of solid waste director

Shawnee County is officially in the market for a solid waste director.

At Monday morning’s meeting, which lasted about 25 minutes, Shawnee County Commissioners Bob Archer, Kevin Cook and Bill Riphahn voted 3-0 to approve the hiring of a person to oversee the county’s solid waste division, which provides trash and recycling services for individuals in Topeka and throughout the county.

The change in job description would separate the position that currently is held by Curt Niehaus, who is serving as director of both Shawnee County Public Works and Shawnee County Solid Waste.

Commissioners had delayed a vote on the recommended job change from their March 28 meeting after Cook requested additional information on the financial aspects of the job split.

Angela Lewis, Shawnee County’s human resources director, said at Monday’s meeting that the solid waste job would pay a minimum salary in the range of $80,000.