Webster County Supervisors approved a bid Tuesday for installation of permanent sneeze guards in offices throughout the Courthouse.

Other expenses approved by supervisors this week included change orders for two unexpected items in the clock tower repair process and the third payment for the Courthouse clock tower and roof restoration project.

Counter sneeze guards serving as a barrier between county employees and the public will be installed by John Kastendieck for $14,507, covering five offices throughout the building. Courthouse offices installed makeshift guards with clear plastic and wooden blocks on the counter as a precaution against COVID-19 when they reopened to the public after an extended closure.

The permanent installation was a reflection of their understanding that concerns about the virus aren’t “going away any time soon,” said Supervisor Keith Dencklau.

Two change orders were approved for bell stand timber repairs and replacing the tower stand in the clock tower for $2,379 and $5,953, respectively.

“When they took it down, some of the timbers were dilapidated,” said Supervisor Nick Carlson.

Existing timbers will be incorporated into the restoration with an epoxy coating.

“This is stuff (contractors) found after they tore the deck off (of the tower) and found all the metal was rusted out,” Dencklau explained.

Supervisors also approved the third scheduled payment for the restoration project to contractor Neumann Brothers Inc., of Des Moines, for $498,514.