Superintendent of the Ellsworth County Road and Bridge Department Dale Houston had some surprising news for the Ellsworth County commissioners Monday. He plans to retire in September.

Houston said he plans to have road and bridge department employee Bret Dunlap take over his duties when he retires. Houston has worked for the county for over 30 years.

In other business:

• Sheriff Murray Marston said the replacement server for the sheriff ’s office is now in operation, but the bill he received for $25,000 from Lock-It is different from the $20,000 quote he received before the work was done. The reason was a glitch in the billing software Lock-It uses. Lock-it informed Marston they are no longer using that software and would be willing, as a good-faith gesture, to split the bill for $5,000 extra by charging him $2,600.

Commissioner Shawn Thomas was not OK with the county paying the extra $2,600 because it was not the county’s error. He asked that Lock-It be contacted and requested to meet with the commissioners in person to explain the situation.

• After a 10-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel with Marston and county attorney Paul J. Kasper (back pay), approval was given to pay Michael Kinnard $10,620.77 in back pay and to sign the settlement agreement.

• Jon Halbgewachs of Kirkham Michael said construction is ahead of schedule on the river bridge south of Wilson. He noted all of the beams have been set and decking is started to be placed.

• Approval was given to transfer $250,000 from the 2023 special equip - ment fund to the 2024 special equipment fund.

• County EMS Director Nathan Florian said Heather Bloesser, Wilson, has entered into an agree - ment with the county to take EMT training class - es. The classes cost $1,300 and most of that amount ($1,150) will be paid for by the county using a grant, with the balance paid for by Bloesser. Upon certifica - tion, she will work parttime for the Ellsworth County EMS for one year. • No action was taken after a 10 minute execu - tive session with Florian

to discuss non-elected personnel (employee per - formance review).

• Approval was given to Kerianne Ehrlich, super - visor of the county health department, to purchase a new laptop computer from SHI at a cost not to exceed $4,000.

• No action was taken after a 10-minute execu - tive session with Kasper to discuss non-elected personnel (one individual non-elected county employee health insur - ance benefit).

• Theresa Shute, direc - tor of the county noxious weed office, landfill and recycling program, will purchase a power washer from Tractor Supply for $399.99.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth County Commission will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18, at the county courthouse.