The Webster County Supervisors approved hiring Scott Richards as the county’s new EMS coordinator Tuesday.

His hiring was recommended by the county’s EMS Advisory Council, which unanimously approved him on March 4. Richards, a Lifeflight paramedic and paramedic instructor, will have a starting salary of $85,000. His start date is still to be determined.

Establishing the new EMS coordinator position was part of the plan for the EMS essential service tax approved by the voters in March 2025.

The coordinator will not be in charge of the EMS agencies in the county. Instead, the coordinator will serve as an adviser on training, medical supplies and equipment, and compliance with rules and regulations. The coordinator may also respond to emergencies.

Agreements with the Dayton Rescue Squad, City of Fort Dodge, and Southwest Webster Emergency Medical Service were also approved by the supervisors after being signed off on by the EMS Advisory Council. Those agreements will allow the use of money from the EMS tax to be used to pay for buildings, personnel and equipment.

The supervisors also approved three paving contracts. According to Webster County Engineer Jamie Johll, the low bid for placement of large box culverts on 150th Street east of Dakota Avenue was awarded to PCI, of Reinbeck for $168,291.05; for box culverts on Brushy Creek Road south of 250th Street to PCI for $168,881.10, and for paving on 290th Street and Union Avenue to Fort Dodge Asphalt for $950,853.93.

On Tuesday, the supervisors also approved a sharing agreement with the City of Otho for the Webster County Sheriff’s Office to respond to calls for service in the city. The city will pay $8,580 to the county which is based on a per capita rate of $20 per person based on the 2020 Census figure of 429 residents.

A new commercial washer and dryer were purchased for the Webster County Jail. A bid of $23,307 from RJ Kool of Kansas City, Missouri, was approved. The bid included the washer and dryer units, base frame, freight, and a full install, as well as removal of the old equipment.

During the supervisors’ committee reports, Supervisor John Cochrane said that during the landfill meeting, it was noted that residents should not place lithium batteries in their recycling as it will damage equipment.

Webster County offices will also be closed from noon to 4:30 p.m. on May 6 for mandatory staff training.