(KNZA)---The Doniphan County Commission held a special meeting Friday afternoon to formulate a plan for emergency snow removal on county roadways.

During the short meeting, the commission voted to increase the rate for contractors providing emergency snow removal and to allow road foreman, at their discretion, to hire contractors to assist the county Road Department with opening roadways.

The contractors rate for emergency snow removal was increased from $215 an hour up to $225 an hour based on size of equipment.

County crews were having a hard time Friday keeping road opens due to blowing snow fanned by strong northerly winds.