Mower County is set up for another three years of 4-H.

The county board on Tuesday approved a three-year contract to pay for the University of Minnesota Extension’s work in Mower County. Much of the funding is for the contract of Extension Coordinator Melissa Koch, who manages the 4-H program.

The contract comes with a 1 to 1.5 percent increase in the three years of the contract.

The county has to renew the contract every three years. If the board ever decided to terminate the contract, there is a 90-day notice period.

The county will pay $65,550 in 2013, $66,530 in 2014 and $67,530 in 2015.

Board mulling prescription drug discount plan

The county board isn’t ready to back a group that would offer discounted prescription drugs to uninsured Mower County residents.

Karin Eckdahl, an account executive with ProAct Inc., met with the board Tuesday to ask the commissioners to give the benefit management company its seal of approval.

“It’s just a really neat program for those recipients who have fallen through the cracks,” Eckdahl said.

The county would not finance the project, but would support the company’s efforts and help bring awareness to the efforts.

If the county backs ProAct, it could not work with any other company on similar efforts.

The board recommended the issue to a committee.

Eckdahl said ProAct provides participants discounts on prescription medicines through participating pharmacies. ProAct, and its parent company, Restat, are paid a transaction fee.

Even if the county board denies ProAct’s request, the company can still offer its services to area residents. Eckdahl has not finalized deals with local pharmacies yet.

Kocer to take bigger role on Refreshed

Community Health Services Director Lisa Kocer will take a bigger role in helping refresh the community’s health.

The county board approved a request for Kocer to sit as the co-chair of the steering committee of Mower Refreshed.

“I think it’s a great initiative,” she said.

Acting as co-chair for the steering committee won’t take up much more time for Kocer, as she said she’ll have to sit in one meeting a month at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin.

Kocer said it’ll be a good way for her to partner with the medical center, and the board agreed.

“I would think it’d be good experience for you,” Tucker told Kocer.

Roosevelt Bridge work progressing

Construction on the Roosevelt Bridge is progressing, but the historic structure my be closed for a few more months.

Public Works Director Mike Hanson told the board the $3.6-million project is scheduled to be completed in October.

“It’s a pain, and it’s construction that people don’t do everyday, so it’s different,” Hanson said. The work is to restore bridge, but stay true to its historic nature.

Only about $800,000 is coming from local dollars. About $2.1 million would come from federal dollars, and about $800,000 would be from state bonds.

Phase 2 of the project was authorized by Federal Highway Administration, according to Hanson.

The county board also accepted a bid for a bridge replacement on County Road 4 in Clayton Township, it accepted state bridge funding for work on a bridge on County Road 1 in Udolpho Township, and the board accepted funding to add signals and lights at a railroad crossing near the intersection of 204th Street on County Road 25.