The Lincoln County Courthouse is opened back up.
County Commission Chairman Lee Doolen announced Monday he was authorizing the courthouse and lobby to open back up immediately with individual elected officials deciding how many to allow in their office at any time.
Doolen explained, “I’ve talked with several county officials and they agreed to let me make that decision. I think it’s time we open back up the courthouse, including the lobby, to the public.”
He emphasized each individual officer will decide the requirements and those will be posted on the front doors of the offices. He indicated probably one to two persons at a time would be allowed in an office.
The courthouse, like many others across the state, has been closed for nearly two months due to COVID-19 the Coronavirus.
Wendi Marcy, during her report, advised the Commissioners Lincoln County recorded its first death from the virus over the weekend. According to the Oklahoma State Health Department, the victim was a female in the 65 and older age group.
Marcy said the woman was a Chandler resident.
In connection with the opening of the courthouse, commissioners voted to obtain quotes for a construction project to widen the wheel chair ramp at the East Entrance of the courthouse and install an automatic entrance.
Commissioners and other elected officials discussed the budget for the next fiscal year that begins July 1, but took no action.
Doolen, referring to employee raises said, “We need to reward our people,” but he indicated taking a cautious approach due to the current times. “Let’s get a little bit further into it and see,” he suggested.
Sheriff Charlie Dougherty told the commissioners that he and District Attorney Allan Grubb have visited about the budget. “Grubb is going to give back an investigator position and I’m going to budget for one,” he said.
“My guys make about $41,000 and his investigator was making $55,000,” the sheriff added.
Commissioners discussed at length whether to approve highway personnel benefits to be paid out of the general fund. County Clerk Alicia Wagnon, as did Doolen, explained this pertained to only health benefits.
But at the end of the discussion commissioners voted to take no action.
The commissioners opened bids for two Lincoln County Fair Barn projects, new lighting and construction of the south wall.
After opening bids, they referred them to the Lincoln County Fair Board and asked them to come back and make a recommendation during a special meeting that will be scheduled.
The lighting bids include: Phoenix Electrical, $58,148.22; Brett Miller Electric, $52,023.30; Negawatt Partners, 61,995.99, Jackson Electrical Construction,$59,975.
South Wall construction bids include: Buoy Bros. Construction,$62,855.10, Heritage Hills Construction, $72,500, Wade Construction,$89,500, CCC Concrete & Design,$62,000.
Commissioners voted to approve a request to go out for fire equipment for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.
Paul Simpson, coordinator rural fire defense program of region 5 COEDD, explained to the commissioners these are joint bids for several counties.
In other business commissioners :
Approved verification for payment and closeout documents for the Arlington Fire Department REAP grant.
Following an executive session, authorized Doolen to be the negotiator for purchase of real estate up to the agreed price.
Agreed to contract with the Sac and Fox Nation Juvenile Detention Center for FY 2020-2021 at a rate of $23 a day.
Approved a contract with Western Plains Youth and Family Services in Woodward for services at Northwest OK Regional Juvenile Detention Center for $68 a day.
Adopted a resolution to approve ODOT forms for the Kickapoo project in District 3.
Agreed to a contract for services between the Lincoln County Assessor and TASC.
Added Sheriff Statutory Travel to Temporary Appropriations.
Adopted a resolution to reimburse the general fund for overpayment to United Health Care.
Approved a resolution to dispose of equipment in District 1.
Voted to take no action on reconvening traveling meetings throughout Lincoln County for the second meeting of each month.
Approved requesting, receiving, inventory officers for the County Clerk’s Office.
Signed an amended 2020 Emergency Management Performance Grant contract due to COVID-19.
Agreed to raise annual repeater lease fee due to rising cost of rent and maintenance at tower site.