County to test chemical integrated vegetation management and approves cooperative brush‑removal agreements for road widening

Rogers County commissioners authorized two sets of roadside vegetation and brush‑management actions: a one‑year integrated vegetation management agreement with Shuterra LLC to chemically treat county ditches and cooperative agreements with a private contractor to enter property to remove brush and reshape ditches for planned road‑widening work.

Why it matters: The county has extensive ditch miles and is testing chemical vegetation control to reduce recurring costs from mechanical brush hogging; commissioners said treating vegetation could reduce the need to mow ditches four times a year on long runs and save crew time and overtime.

Key items approved: - Shuterra LLC agreement (District 1): A one‑year contract to spray about 400 acres of roadside ditches and right-of-way. County staff said spraying is intended to remove woody brush while leaving slower-growing turf grass; the county will still use brush hogging in limited areas. Commissioners approved the agreement (motion carried). - Cooperative agreements with Ronnie Baker: Two separate cooperative agreements were approved authorizing the contractor to enter private property to remove brush and shape ditches for drainage and to enable road-widening on South 4220 Road (near E. 470 Road) and East 470 Road (adjacent section). Commissioners approved both cooperative agreements (motions carried).

Commissioners said the Shuterra application was piloted at smaller scale previously and this contract expands the approach across more acres; the county will monitor results over the year to determine cost and effectiveness.

Speakers included Commissioner Delozier (who presented the Shuterra item) and other commissioners who voted to approve the agreements.