Wagoner County commissioners approve a slate of grants, contracts, payments and a property sale at Aug. 25 meeting

Wagoner County commissioners on Aug. 25 approved applications for two grants, the sale of a county-owned house, contract renewals, fiber service for the courthouse and a set of invoices and right-of-way payments, among other routine county business.

The approvals included a request by the county economic development office to submit a $5,000 matching application to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce Community Marketing Partnership Program; authorization for the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office to reapply for the Oklahoma Attorney General’s 2026 Sheriff’s Assistance grant (up to $300,000 eligible); and the sale of a county-owned house on Primrose (Lot 4, Block 1) to the lone bidder who offered $7,500. The board also approved funding to troubleshoot network drops in a planned digital forensic lab, renewed a stormwater MS4 services contract, accepted a fiber service agreement for the courthouse, and approved a range of financial claims and right-of-way payments.

Why it matters: several of the approvals affect county infrastructure and public safety capacity — notably the Attorney General grant application for the sheriff’s office, the MS4 stormwater support contract and the courthouse fiber service — while the property sale and right-of-way settlements have direct budgetary and land-use implications.

Most important actions

- Economic development grant: Darla Heller, economic development, said the county would apply for a $5,000 match through the Oklahoma Community Marketing Partnership grant to pay for market research, asset photography, marketing materials and drone footage of industrial properties. Heller said the $5,000 match would come from funds the board previously approved for her office. The motion to apply was approved by roll call.

- Sale of county property (Primrose Lot 4, Block 1): Wagoner County Treasurer (identified in the record as Levi) reported the county acquired the house at a tax sale the prior June and that the structure is in disrepair with interior damage and possible black mold. A lone bidder (identified as Mr. Swofford in the minutes) offered $7,500; the board voted to approve the sale. Commissioners and staff noted the property likely requires demolition and that building permits would be needed for any future rebuilding.

- Sheriff’s Office grant application: Under Sheriff Mark Siegrist requested approval to resubmit the same Attorney General 2026 Sheriff’s Assistance application the county received last year. Siegrist said the grant is eligible for up…