Richland County commissioners approve personnel moves, advertise bridge bid and accept $1,020 refund

The Richland County Commissioners on Feb. 6 approved several routine administrative items including a bid advertisement for a Corson Road bridge replacement, the promotion of a child-support employee, authorization to advertise for a clerical position, and a $1,020 change-order refund tied to recent courthouse elevator work.

The actions were presented during the commissioners' regular session and carried with unanimous affirmative votes from the commissioners present. County Administrator Andrew Keller and department directors provided the staff reports that led to the approvals.

Commissioner Tony Vero moved to clarify dates on an existing time-extension item and the commission approved the amendment. The board then approved an interdepartmental transfer request and moved to advertise for bids on a Corson Road bridge replacement. The advertised construction estimate was discussed by staff but the transcript did not provide a clear, auditable single-line construction estimate; the commission approved advertisement to solicit bids.

Jenna Brock, CSEA director, requested promotion and hiring actions in the county child-support office. The board approved the promotion of Brenda Elliott to a case manager position at a rate of $16.50 per hour, effective Feb. 13, 2025, with a 180-day probationary period. The commissioners also authorized an external recruitment posting for one clerical specialist with an advertised period from Feb. 24, 2025, through March 12, 2025.

Andrew Keller explained a refund tied to elevator permitting and inspection fees. Keller said the contractor agreed to refund $1,020, but the amount must be processed as a change order rather than a simple downward adjustment to avoid missing the reallocation deadline. Commissioner Vero praised Keller’s work: “Great job by Andrew on this. That's a thousand dollars, but it is taxpayer money, and he did an excellent job.” The board approved the change-order action to return the funds to the county.

Votes at a glance

- Clarification/amendment to a time-extension entry: Approved (motion and second recorded; commissioners voting in the affirmative). - Interdepartmental transfer request: Approved (commissioners voting in the affirmative). - Advertisement for bids: Corson Road bridge replacement — Authorized to advertise (commissioners voting in the affirmative). - Promotion: Brenda Elliott to case manager at $16.50/hour, effective Feb. 13, 2025, with 180-day probation — Approved (commissioners voting in the affirmative). - Job posting: External advertisement for 1 clerical specialist, Feb. 24–March 12, 2025 — Authorized (commissioners voting in the affirmative). - Change order: Accept $1,020 refund tied to elevator permitting and inspection fees — Approved (commissioners voting in the affirmative).

The approvals were routine and executed without extended debate. Department staff will carry out the advertised recruitment and bid process; the county will process the change-order refund according to the contracting and accounting procedures described by staff.

Proper names mentioned during the items included Richland County, Corson Road (bridge project), CSEA (Child Support Enforcement Agency), Brenda Elliott and Andrew Keller. The meeting recessed for a later session with townships at 10 a.m.

Ending

The commissioners completed the listed administrative items and recessed; staff will proceed with recruitment postings and the advertised bid process, and will return to the board as required by procurement and hiring rules.