A wage increase for emergency communications staff has found favor with the Lyon County Commission.
During the board’s weekly meeting, Lyon County Emergency Communications Director Roxanne Van Gundy submitted a request for a pay increase for full-time communications officers. Van Gundy is seeking a $1 increase to bring starting wages from $16.90 to $17.90 with an additional 50 cent increase upon completion of training bringing the total wage to $18.40.
The request comes as the center has gone from a “critical” staffing shortage to having all shifts filled and Van Gundy says she is wanting to keep it that way.
Commissioners have given direction for Van Gundy to work with HR Director Janice Huffman to begin implementing the increase. An exact date for when the increase will take effect is not readily available, however, Van Gundy anticipates it will be in place in a relatively quick manner.
As LCECC is looking at retaining quality staff, Emporia Main Street is looking at evolving the current workforce. In separate business Thursday, Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods submitted a request for the county to consider matching a $750,000 EDA grant to form a tech accelerator.
Woods explains the accelerator would be a cooperative initiative between Main Street, local educational institutions and organizations to develop and establish tech-based entrepreneurial jobs. Woods says the county is currently behind in this sector and in order for the local economy to continue evolving, its a sector that needs attention.
Commissioners have taken the request under advisement with a decision to be made at a later time.
Additional details from Thursday’s meeting are online at KVOE.com.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its weekly action session next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse Commission Chambers.
