Published: April 25, 2009 04:32 pm      

JeffCo commissioners address maintenance

WAURIKA — WAURIKA — Along with several administrative items, the Jefferson County commissioners addressed a couple of maintenance tasks during a regular meeting on April 15.

A potentially dangerous situation was brought to the commissioners’ attention, when Levida Dyer, custodian at Jefferson County Courthouse, told them gas was being emitted from the pilot light of a water heater on the second floor.

Dyer said the faulty pilot light was repeatedly going out and that she had shut off the fixture, fearing gas would be emitted when no one was around to notice the pilot light was out.

The commissioners agreed the fixture should be turned off until plumber Jerry Houston could be contacted to examine and fix the problem.

Commissioner Loyd Kimbro told his colleagues several area residents had approached him after they noticed the American flag outside the courthouse had not been flying recently.

County Sheriff Michael Bryant said a pulley at the top of the flagpole was broken, suggesting that inmates who usually raise and lower the flag each day could resume doing so if the pulley and rope could be fixed.

Bryant and Commissioner Billy Kidd noted that Public Service Oklahoma had assisted in repairing the flagpole in the past. Kidd said he would contact PSO for an evaluation of the problem and the possibility of the utility company using its bucket truck to repair the pulley and replace the rope.

Kimbro said some citizens suggested a possible solution might be to install a light that would continually shine on the flagpole, which would mean the flag wouldn’t need to be raised and lowered daily. However, the commissioners agreed that wasn’t a viable option at the time because of budget concerns.

In other action, the commissioners unanimously approved:

• An exit report from Court Clerk Carolyn Watkins, in which she noted that the former court clerk had spent 56.30 percent of an exit funds allotment, which was approved by the commissioners. Officers who do not succeed themselves in an election are allowed to spend only 50 percent of the exit allotment. Watkins said she told the county’s auditor that the office would try not to spend that much in the future.

• A claim form presented to the Oklahoma Tax Commission by County Assessor Teresa Tallon for additional homestead exemption reimbursement. Tallon noted the claim had been turned in annually by most counties but none had received the reimbursement for years.

• An agreement between District 2 and the Town of Ryan, and an agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and the Town of Ringling, both of which are annual renewals.

• Accepting the resignation of Martin Villarreal from the Jefferson County Fair Board, and approving Todd Casebolt as a replacement. Kimbro said Tim Cross had also expressed interest in the position.

• A transfer of $40 from Account No. 10F42 into Account No. 10F52, which County Clerk Gloria England said would correct a payment for county clerk dues by the former county clerk. The dues had been paid from the Preservation Account instead of the Lien Fee Account. England said she contacted the county’s auditor, who recommended transferring the funds from the Lien Fee Account back into the Preservation Account.

• Total alcoholic beverage tax allocation of $5,548.83, which would go to eight county communities.

• Allowing County Treasurer Vickie Behrens to apply for access to online banking with First Farmers National Bank of Waurika, for the purpose of viewing only. In addition, Behrens and Deputy Treasurer Ann Medlinger were granted access for all sites and their names will be on signature cards at the bank.

• Claims and authorization of two blanket purchase orders.

• Official county officers’ monthly reports.

• The payroll report for the second half of April.