FAYETTEVILLE — The Boston Mountain Solid Waste District will start 2013 with a new director.
The district’s Board of Directors on Thursday hired Robyn Reed, the Washington County Environmental Affairs director who is supervised by County Judge Marilyn Edwards.
At A Glance
Boston Mountain Solid Waste District
The Boston Mountain Solid Waste District is one of 18 in Arkansas. The district provides solid waste management in Washington and Madison counties. It operates a transfer station where residents drop off solid waste and recyclables. The solid waste is taken to the Eco-Vista Landfill near Tontitown. The district also works with cities to provide recycling programs for residents to reduce solid waste disposal.
Source: Boston Mountain Solid Waste District
“I felt like it was a next step in my career, and I’m real excited to focus on solid waste management,” Reed said.
Rhonda Hulse, chairwoman of the district’s Personnel Committee, said Reed was chosen from seven candidates.
Reed has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Oklahoma State University and the state certifications needed for the position.
She was the only candidate of the final three with all the necessary training and education, Hulse said.
“She has grant experience, supervisory experience,” Hulse said. “She had all the requirements including certification. She had everything that we asked for.”
Reed earns $49,275, according to the county’s human resources department.
Hulse said the board has not yet determined Reed’s salary, but was leaning toward the higher end of the pay range. In October the pay range was set between $50,981 and $61,573, based on a study and recommendation from Blair Johanson, the county’s salary consultant.
“I think the district has some great programs throughout the cities and the county for recycling, household waste,” Reed said. “I hope to see some great partnerships built between the municipalities and counties and hopefully continue to build services for residents.”
Reed’s hiring comes three months after Maylon Rice was fired after a county investigation concluded he misused district money, did not keep accurate financial records and other personnel management deficiencies.
“One thing that I asked for the board during my interview was to do a full audit before I take over or when I start,” Reed said. “Just so that way, the board and myself know where everything stands.”
Reed said the audit would review the district’s finances and grant-keeping records, but did not say who would do the audit. She begins her new job Jan. 2.