Many bid for Cape Girardeau County bridge replacement job

Cape Girardeau County commissioners approved 12 bids Thursday for the replacement of a bridge northeast of Whitewater on County Road 233.

About twice the usual number of bids were received, said Scott Bechtold, county highway administrator. He said that the high number may be due to timing, as contractors are possibly facing fewer projects in the coming months.

Bid amounts ranged from $224,936 to $429,129 to complete the project. Consultants Koehler Engineering prepared an estimate for the work of $360,942 and will review the bids and make a recommendation to the county commission. Federal money will fund around 80 percent of the job, so the commission will forward its selected bidder to the Missouri Department of Transportation for approval.

In other business, the recorder of deeds' office received authorization for a $48,308 software contract payable yearly for the next three years.

Scott R. Clark, recorder of deeds, said that using a software subscription ensures that the latest technology is always in use, an advantage to buying a costly software program that requires periodic upgrades.

Clark said he has been assessing and streamlining county capabilities since taking office in 2010. He said recording technology has changed a lot in the past 10 years.

"It will allow us to do e-recording, which is very exciting," Clark said.

Besides lowering postage costs, e-recording could make it possible to receive, review, approve and return deed documents the same day instead of in two weeks or more.

The commission confirmed that county offices plan to be open regular hours the day after Thanksgiving. The county observes the state holiday schedule and any changes made by the governor will be followed accordingly.

salderman@semissouian.com

388-3648

Pertinent addresses:

1 Barton Sq., Jackson, MO

County Road 233, Hubble, MO