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Richardson County commissioners approve $271,043 road contract, OK courthouse remediation; table EMA deputy pay increase
Summary
The Richardson County Board of Commissioners on April 29 approved a $271,043.52 road surfacing contract and a $7,353.97 courthouse remediation contract, authorized vehicle-tracking services and authorized payment of claims, while tabling a proposed deputy EMA pay raise for further review.
The Richardson County Board of Commissioners on April 29 approved several contracts and administrative items, including a $271,043.52 road surfacing contract and a courthouse remediation contract, and tabled a proposed pay increase for the deputy emergency management director.
Chairman John Caverzagie called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the board quickly moved through routine business, approving the April 22 regular and Board of Equalization minutes and adopting the posted agenda by roll-call votes.
In road business, Commissioner Campbell moved and Vice-Chairman Karas seconded approval of a contract with Hall Bros., Inc. for the 2026 Scrub Mastic project (C-74(2026-02)), described as hard surface work on the dustless highway near Falls City for 10.5 miles, at a price of $271,043.52; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all three commissioners voting aye. Highway Superintendent Steve Darveau Jr. also briefed the board on routine road and bridge maintenance under way.
The board approved an agreement with Verizon Connect for vehicle-tracking subscription and dashcam software and services for county vehicles after a motion by Commissioner Campbell and a second by Chairman Caverzagie; the vote was unanimous.
Sheriff Hardesty updated the board on jail operations, reporting 13 inmates in custody, and said the Sheriff’s Department will participate in the "Make It Click" grant program administered by the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office to reimburse deputies for overtime during May 15–31.
The board discussed quotes for electrical hookups and HVAC installation at an outdoor storage building at the Law Enforcement Center planned for evidence storage but took no action on the estimates. Commissioner Campbell also recognized dispatcher Chase Hardesty for receiving a Life-Saver Award at a recent training in Kearney.
On facilities work in the courthouse, the board reviewed a proposal from Halsey, Inc. dba ServPro (based on a mold investigation by Techtron Environmental Solutions) for restoration and remediation services totaling $7,353.97. Commissioner Campbell moved to approve the proposal, Karas seconded, and the motion passed by roll call.
EMA Director Brian Kirkendall proposed increasing the Deputy EMA Director’s hourly wage from $23.35 to $27.02 (presented as 75% of the EMA Director’s current salary). After discussion, Commissioner Campbell moved to table the proposal for further review; Chairman Caverzagie seconded and the motion to table carried on a roll-call vote.
The board recessed into and then returned from an executive session called at 9:42 a.m. to discuss county legal business with County Attorney Samantha Scheitel; the executive session concluded at 9:55 a.m. on a subsequent roll-call motion.
A motion by Vice-Chairman Karas (seconded by Chairman Caverzagie) authorized payment of all claims submitted at the meeting. The claims listing presented at the meeting showed a General Fund total of $172,764.73 and a Road & Bridge Fund total of $38,281.46. The meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m.; the board will meet next on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room at the courthouse in Falls City.
