(KLZA)-- Richardson County Commissioners approved a contract with A.M. Cohron & Son Inc. of Atlantic, Iowa for a nearly $1.6-million bridge project Southeast of Stella.  Federal and State funds will cover 80 percent of the costs to re-build the Tynon Bridge. 

The Board approved a quote from Jones Air Conditioning of Falls City to do work to control the air temperature in the Lower Level office of the Richardson County Courthouse.  The work will cost $11,426. 

Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Dixon proposed changes in job descriptions and titles for the Emergency Management Agency staff.  Dixon offered five options on various positions and salary increases.  Currently the Department includes the Director, paid a salary of $41,391. The administrative assistant is paid $12.30 per hour and the currently unfilled position of Deputy Director which has a salary of $36,000.

Dixon is proposing the restructure include the Director at a salary of $55,000, one or two Emergency Management Specialists with salaries ranging from nearly $22,000 annually up to nearly $31,000 annually plus  Emergency Management Specialists that are paid an hourly wage when utilized in emergencies or for storm spotting. 

More than half of the Emergency Management Budget is currently funded through Cooper Nuclear funds or the federal and state Emergency Management reimbursement funds. 

The proposal will be discussed again during the December 9, Commissioners meeting.  

A contract Richardson County has with Constructor’s Inc. for a three mile asphalt project on the Dustless Highway was discussed with a company representative and a representative from Speece-Lewis Engineers. The project was to have been completed by November 1. 

Miller-Monroe Insurance representatives Joe Miller and Steve Simon met with the Board about their video library of safety items for use by the County and the proposed safety manual for Richardson County.