Webster County Supervisors held a public hearing Tuesday to receive input on plans, specifications, contracts and estimated costs regarding the Courthouse clock tower and roof restoration project.

The board also approved the transfer of a County Auditor’s office employee.

No members of the public voiced input at the meeting, either in person or in writing. The project will be let for bids on Jan. 17.

Supervisors unanimously approved an option for the project that will cost an estimated $5 million toward the end of 2019. The option selected includes a partial replacement of the clock tower that will keep the intact pieces of the old green patina sheathing and restore the roof’s skylight.

The other three included taking no action on repairs, removing the clock tower and repairing the skylight for an estimated cost of $2.8 million or replacing the clock tower with a completely new skin at an estimate of $10 million. Supervisors previously solicited and received feedback through public input sessions.

The sheathing’s extensive weathering over 117 years contributed to the need for action.

A key part of the restoration will include installation of a plastic membrane to act as a water barrier between the copper and wood, leaving most levels of the tower dry. The top level of the tower is open to the air, so that the bell can ring. The water barrier will be designed so that water can flow back outside, preventing rotting of the wooden structure underneath.

Help wanted in the

County Auditor’s office

Supervisors accepted the transfer of Allison Roderick from a clerk in the Auditor’s office to a clerk in the Human Resources office, as well as the Planning and Zoning office, effective Feb. 3 at a rate of $15.51 per hour.

County Auditor Doreen Pliner is seeking a new full-time clerk to fill the vacancy. The position entails typical office work and working with the voter registration system. The position starts at $14.22 per hour plus benefits.

More birth certificates

now available at Recorder’s office

The County Recorder’s office reports that the public can now procure birth certificates statewide in the courthouse for those born since 1988. Birth certificates were previously only available for those born since 1990.

Quarterly reports

New quarterly reports were filed Tuesday with the County Veterans Affairs Commission and the Webster County Sheriff’s Office.

The VA Commission saw an overall decrease in 2019 in the number of veterans that came to the office for assistance. This year’s number, 795, is down 86 from last year’s number of 881.

The Commission served 63 veterans filing a claim for the first time and six veterans filing for county assistance for the first time. Claims paid to seven different entities to assist with rent and utility expenses amounted to $2,310.

Receipts for the Sheriff’s Office totalled $150,681. Receipts collected included nearly $2,000 for mileage fees and $6,000 for weapons permits.