Seven construction firms have submitted bids to repair a bridge outside Orearville.

Bids to repair the Melody Avenue bridge were opened Wednesday, Dec. 4 during the regular session of the Saline County Commission. Great Rivers Engineering estimated the project to cost $90,600. All but one bid exceeded estimate; the lone bid below estimate was from Mera Excavating of Bonnots Mill, who submitted the apparent low bid of $86,481.19. The commission voted to take the bids under advisement.

Commissioners and Great River Engineering are also receiving bids for construction of the wastewater system for the Marshall Junction. A special session is scheduled for Dec. 12 at 11:45 a.m.

Also at Wednesday morning’s session, the commission approved the temporary hire of five employees for the collector’s office and authorized the transfer of $274,779.20 in collected fines and forfeitures to the general fund and recorder’s fund. Commissioners also approved the purchase of document scanners for $1698 and document storage software from Konica Minolta for $34,338, including seven licenses good for three years. The software will help implement the senior tax credit available to eligible Saline County homeowners next year.