Lincoln County Commissioners this week accepted a proposal from the Floyd and Driver Law Firm for assistance with handling funding and reporting for the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Commission Chairman Lee Doolen said prior to Monday’s meeting the funding Lincoln County received is more than $7 million. “The law firm will help use to interact so we spend the funds properly.”
During a presentation, a representative of the law firm explained the options to the commissioners for the two tiers of service.
“The top tier we will help you develop an overall plan and how you are going to spend the funds. We will review any applications for the funding and review any projects,” he noted.
“We will work closely with the County Clerk on deadlines and reporting. We’ll help with all the reports. You have until Dec. 31, 2024 to allocate the funds and have until Dec. 31, 2026 to spend the funds,” he said.
For that, the firm will receive $140,000 for its work which is a two percent fee.
Commissioners voted to approve that tier of service. Doolen stressed, “The goal is to keep us from having to send money back to the Treasury.”
The other option would cost only one percent and the county would be responsible for more of the work including the reporting.
“The main distinction,” the representative said, “is in the top tier we work closely with you on everything you do.”
On another issue, following a brief executive session, commissioners voted to accept a settlement in a federal lawsuit as discussed costing the county up to $14,000. The case was Sabrina Marie Tice v. Sheriff Charlie Dougherty that was filed in the Western District of Oklahoma.
Commissioners also accepted a bid from J&J Customs of $71,400 for two skid units for the Arlington Fire Department. The department received a Community Development Block Grant to pay for those, Paul Simpson, Rural Fire Defense Coordinator with the Central Oklahoma Economic Development District explained. In other business, commissioners:
Approved a project agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for an Industrial Access project in District 1 and then adopted a resolution to set up a new account for the project and transfer $470,000 into the account from the County Bridge and Road Improvement Fund.
Voted to approve another agreement with ODOT for a Lake Access Project in District 1 and then adopted a resolution to set up a new account for the project and transfer $402,000 into the account from the County Bridge and Road Improvement Fund.
Approved an agreement with Nextiva Service for VoIP phone system.
Took no action on a final plat for Round Rock, a subdivision.
Approved a verification request for funds and closeout certification for the 2020-21 REAP fund 08 for the NE Fire Department.
Approved an interagency contract with DEQ for the Solid Waste Reimbursement grant for the Sheriff’s Office.
Agreed to obtain a site survey and quote from Apprentice Information Systems for a digital courthouse camera system.
Approved taking the ACCO Redistricting Survey and to approve a Redistricting Agreement with the House of Representatives. Lila Wilson, the commissioners’ secretary, will be the Point of Contact, they decided.
Approved the Fair Board’s decision to remove Emily Dornan from the Fair Board for lack of participation.
Changed the November Commission meeting date to Nov. 15.
Adopted a resolution requesting participation in the County Road Machinery and Equipment Revolving Fund for District 3.
Approved the P-Card Payment approval form.
Voted to approve new Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Compliance of Certificates for Lucky Hao One LLC, Savajo Enterprises LLC, CBT Farms LLC, CBT Dispensary LLC, CBT Extracts LLC, Julies Happy Grow LLC, PNJ Cultivation Inc., and Grassland Ranch LLC.
Approved renew OMMA Certificates of Compliance for Flaming Fire Farms LLC, Blayes LLC, Green Tree’s LLC, Limeng Green LLC, and Bud Sparks Farm LLC.
Adopted a resolution declaring a procedure to process insurance claims in Lincoln County.