Rogers County commissioners approve routine permits, transfers and donations; table enterprise zone and facility bids for one week

The Rogers County Board of County Commissioners on May (date not specified) approved routine utility permits, several budget transfers and a $500 donation to the sheriff's office, and directed staff to remove tree debris from private property under a cooperative agreement. Commissioners tabled consideration of a joint Enterprise Zone resolution covering Inola-area tracts and delayed award of rebid facility maintenance contracts for one week.

Commissioners said they needed more time to review a proposed joint resolution to apply for an Enterprise Zone covering the Route 412 corridor that would include tracts in Rogers, Mayes and Delaware counties. Andrew (presenter) told commissioners the application uses current census-tract data and that new census data expected shortly could change eligibility. Commissioner Delosier moved to table the joint resolution for one week so members could review the materials; the motion carried with three recorded aye votes.

The Enterprise Zone proposal was described as an application to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to designate targeted tracts as an enterprise zone, which can be used to qualify projects for state incentives such as investment tax credits, low-interest loans and other Commerce programs. Andrew said the designation itself does not in itself obligate the county financially and that many benefits are incentive-based; commissioners requested additional time to review details and potential implications.

County staff reported on pending FEMA disaster reimbursements. Carl (county staff) said the county received a FEMA Category B payment last week—about $56,000—and that the funds covered emergency jail expenses; staff told commissioners those receipts have been turned over to the treasurer's office and will be posted back to the accounts from which expenses were paid. Carl said two project determinations remain under consideration and that the county expects a management-cost reimbursement capped at 5% of total eligible project costs.

The board approved two utility-permit requests filed for work in District 2: one from Cox Communications and another from Rural Water District No. 3. Commissioners also approved the County Clerk's request to declare an HP LaserJet printer (purchased Sept. 4, 2014, for $914.62) surplus and authorized disposal.

Commissioners approved multiple internal budget transfers needed to close the fiscal year: $560 moved from commissioners travel to commissioner salaries for payroll adjustments; $50,000 moved from building maintenance salaries into building maintenance operations; and two transfers totaling $400,000 moving District 3 highway sales‑tax contingency funds through accounts to reimburse a $550,000 emergency transportation revolving fund loan tied to the Flint Road utility project (commissioners previously repaid $350,000). A separate $2,500 transfer moved planning commission professional-services funds into planning commission maintenance and operations. Commissioners approved those transfers by recorded vote.

Other routine items approved included a corrected special payroll for District 2, 20 blanket purchase orders totaling $45,565, and payment of purchase orders as summarized in resolution 2025-148. The board also approved a $500 donation from Easton Collision Specialists, Inc., to the Rogers County Sheriff's Office under resolution 2025-146 after John Sappington requested the item be placed on the agenda.

The board approved a cooperative agreement allowing county crews to enter private property at 24577 South Canyon Road, Verdigris, to remove tree debris; staff said the tree sits in the county right of way and is falling toward a private drainage ditch. The agreement cites Oklahoma Statute Title 69, Section 643.1, as the authority for entry to abate hazards in the county right of way.

On facility maintenance rebids for a Rogers County maintenance building expansion, county staff opened several trade packages and reported five total responses for some packages; glass and glazing bids were either not submitted or contained noncompliant affidavits. Staff proposed preparing a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract for the packages received, carry an allowance for glazing, and re-solicit glazing as a smaller “pocket” bid. Commissioners voted to table award and review the prepared contract documents for one week so members could examine the bids and the recommended GMP.

Votes at a glance: - Approve minutes of April 28, 2025 regular meeting — motion carried; recorded ayes included De Loser, Hendricks, Rose. - Utility permit (Cox Communications), District 2 — approved; recorded ayes included De Loser, Hendricks, Burrows. - Utility permit (Rural Water District No. 3), District 2 — approved; recorded ayes included De Loser, Hendricks, Burrows. - Surplus disposal (County Clerk HP LaserJet printer, purchased 9/4/2014 for $914.62) — approved; recorded ayes included De Loser, Hendricks. - Table facility maintenance rebid awards (GMP and glazing allowance) — motion to table one week carried (recorded ayes included De Loser, Hendrix, Burrows). - FEMA update — informational only; no formal action. - Transfer funds: $560 (commissions travel → commissioner salaries) — approved (recorded ayes included De Loser, Hendricks, Burrows). - Transfer funds: $50,000 (building maintenance salaries → maintenance & operations) — approved (recorded ayes included Delozier, Hendrix). - Transfer funds: $200,000 (District 3 highway sales tax → Flint Road utility project reimbursement) — approved as part of items 3 and 4 (recorded ayes included Delozier, Hendricks). - Transfer funds: $200,000 (District 3 highway sales tax → emergency transportation revolving fund repayment) — approved as part of items 3 and 4 (recorded ayes included Delozier, Hendricks). - Transfer funds: $2,500 (planning commission professional services → maintenance & operations) — approved (recorded ayes included Delozier, Hendrix, Matt Rose). - Special payroll (District 2 correction) — approved (recorded ayes included De Loser, Hendrix, Burrows). - Blanket purchase orders (20 orders, $45,565 total) — approved (recorded ayes included De Loser, Hendricks, Rose). - Resolution 2025-146 (accept $500 donation from Easton Collision Specialists, Inc., to Rogers County Sheriff's Office) — approved (recorded ayes included Hendricks, Rose). - Cooperative agreement with Linda Telto to enter private property at 24577 South Canyon Road to remove tree debris (authority: Oklahoma Statute Title 69 §643.1) — approved (recorded ayes included De Loser, Hendricks, Rose). - Joint resolution re: Enterprise Zone Act (Rogers, Mayes, Delaware counties) — tabled one week (recorded ayes included Delosier, Hendrix, Burrows). - Resolution 2025-148 (payment of purchase orders as presented) — approved (recorded ayes included DeLozier, Hendricks, Rose).

The meeting concluded with the board adjourning at 9:26 a.m. (time shown in the record).