There's a new person in charge of Smith County's Road and Bridge department.

For about six months now Smith County has been looking to recruit a Road and Bridge engineer to upkeep the roads, but with no luck. It's how long Doug Nicholson has been acting as interim.

"When we asked him to step up to the plate and take over this huge job...he did so with a lot of grace," said Smith County Commissioner Bill McGinnis.

With no engineer to take up the task the court has now approved to change the title to an administrator instead and they've hired Nicholson for the job.

"I think this was the right decision...Mr. Nicholson has been performing these duties for several months now," said McGinnis.

Nicholson has worked as the county's engineering assistant for about seven years.

"With the experience that I've got...you know with the county and the progress we've been making...I believe I can do them a good job," said Nicholson.

Before the decision to use this different strategy to fill the spot was made...the county did post the job on about seven different search engines.

"The total sum results of those efforts we're six resumes or applications," said Denise Rebolini, Smith County Personnel Director."

Sense none qualified commissioners say this new approach will save the county money.The new administrative position will pay $60,000 thousand dollars versus the $81,000 they would've paid an engineer.

"Any in dept engineering designs that we need done...you know...we can go to a consulting firm and have that done," said Nicholson.