Lawn-care workers are offered raise in pay
By Terry Murry on Friday, August 5th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Umatilla County has had no luck in finding lawn maintenance employees in the Pendleton area this summer. The offer was a paycheck of $13 an hour. Board of Commissioners Chairman John Shafer said that because the money set aside for that had not been paid out, the county could afford to offer more money.
“As you well know, pick a fast food restaurant, and they pay more than that,” he said. “So now our maintenance employees are having to do the lawn work instead of their normal duties.”
The maintenance department suggested paying $17 an hour and the commissioners approved it.
“We said either get somebody at $17 an hour or explore contracting with a local lawn service,” he said. “We’d prefer to hire somebody who’s looking for college money, but if we can’t do that then we’ll hire a company to help mow the lawns so our maintenance guys can do maintenance things.”
Applicants must be 18 or older. The county supplies the equipment needed to maintain the grounds of the courthouse, health department, and juvenile facility in Pendleton. An application for the seasonal work is posted on the county’s website under the “jobs” tab.
