Lincoln County commissioners this week began their discussion on setting up the 522 District that was approved during the Nov. 5 General Election two weeks ago.
Voters decided in favor of creating an Emergency Medical Service District to help provide more widespread ambulance service throughout the county.
Nearly 60 percent of those voting were in favor of creating the 522 District to less than 40 percent who were opposed.
The Emergency Medical Service District will be funded by a recurring three mill ad valorem tax placed on all taxable property within the county beginning in the 2025 tax year.
Commissioners learned at Monday’s meeting that a board which will be set up to oversee the Emergency Medical Service District must consist of a least five members and may have more than that.
The board must also have at least on representative from each commissioner district.
They were also advised there are some exceptions to being on more than one board.
District 3 Commissioner Lee Doolen, who is chairman of the commissioners, said, “We just need to know what the board is going to look like, we don’t need to put names to it today.”
He noted, too, “The bigger the board the harder it is to get people to show up.”
Among those entities that were discussed as having representation on the board were cities, tribes. EMS, fire and others.
Commissioners took no official action during Monday’s meeting, but each agreed to reach out to other counties who have 522 Districts and boards. Doolen noted, “We want to be smart about it.”
Commissioners concurred, without taking a vote, to bring the information they gather from other counties back to their second regular meeting in January.
Commissioners also adopted a resolution regarding a lease agreement with Welch State Bank.
Sheriff Charlie Dougherty explained his office is going to buy 5 vehicles and the new administration is on board with that.
The commissioners approved the Sheriff lease agreement with Welch State Bank and authorized going out for bids on supplies and labor to outfit the sheriff’s vehicles estimated at $8,000 per vehicle.
They approved to continue service with Secure Tech in the Sheriff’s Office.
In other business, commissioners: Approved a bid from Midwest Printing for digital ballot printing.
Authorized the Health Department to seek a Spark Good Grant application.
Approved the OSU Extension Office appointment of agent.
Authorized remodel of an Investigation room for Human Resources.
Approved a change order for a bridge in District 2.
Approved Division Orders with CVR Supply and Trading, LLC.
Adopted a resolution setting up an account for the Industrial Access Road– Genesis Project in District 1.
Determined literature can be left at the courthouse but permission must be granted first.
Amended the 2025 Holiday schedule. Approved an Emergency Management Performance Grant delegation.
Approved the Purchase Card Payment Approval form.