Garfield County commissioners approve $1.83 million courthouse change order, clear routine claims and contracts

The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners on July 8 approved Change Order #2 for Phase 2 of courthouse renovations, authorizing a $1,833,307 addition to include a transfer switch for the fire pump. Vice-Chairman Clarence Maly moved the measure and all three commissioners — Reese Wedel, Clarence Maly and David Loesch — voted aye.

The approval was part of a larger consent slate that included contractual and financial items the board considered routine. The board also approved Resolution #24-87 to use $21,250 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for architectural fees related to renovations at the Garfield County Detention Facility, and passed Resolution #24-90 to dispose of specified old County Clerk records from fiscal years noted in the resolution.

Other approved items included a Service Agreement with Oklahoma Juvenile Justice Services Inc. for the Garfield County Juvenile Detention Center (motion by David Loesch); approval of a Driveway Entrance Application and a Road Crossing Application for ONEOK Gas Transportation LLC (motions by Clarence Maly and David Loesch, respectively); and three lease-purchase agreements with Security National Bank for three 2023 John Deere 6120M tractors for District 2 (motion by Maly).

Financial and reporting items on the consent docket passed unanimously. The board authorized a pre-election expense claim of $7,497.02 for election officials for the Aug. 27, 2024 election; approved a claim against the State Election Board to reimburse Garfield County Election Board Secretary Shari Monsees $5,599.58 for July 2024 salary; accepted June monthly reports from several offices (subject to audit); and approved the Garfield County Treasurer Monthly Fee Report for June 2024 in the amount of $231,322.21. The Board also examined and approved a lengthy set of prior-year and current-year warrants, purchase orders and claims across multiple funds.

Votes at a glance • Change Order #2 (Bid #24-10) — include transfer switch for fire pump; mover: Clarence Maly; outcome: approved; vote: Wedel, Maly, Loesch — aye. • Resolution #24-87 (ARPA funds for detention facility architectural fees) — $21,250; mover: David Loesch; outcome: approved; vote: Wedel, Maly, Loesch — aye. • Service Agreement — Oklahoma Juvenile Justice Services Inc.; mover: David Loesch; outcome: approved; vote: Wedel, Maly, Loesch — aye. • ONEOK Driveway Entrance Application — mover: Clarence Maly; outcome: approved; vote: Wedel, Maly, Loesch — aye. • ONEOK Road Crossing Application — mover: David Loesch; outcome: approved; vote: Wedel, Maly, Loesch — aye. • Pre-election expense claim — $7,497.02; mover: Clarence Maly; outcome: approved; vote: Wedel, Maly, Loesch — aye. • Claim for salary reimbursement (Shari Monsees) — $5,599.58; mover: David Loesch; outcome: approved; vote: Wedel, Maly, Loesch — aye. • Lease purchase agreements for three John Deere tractors — mover: Clarence Maly; outcome: approved; vote: Wedel, Maly, Loesch — aye. • Treasurer monthly fee report — $231,322.21; mover: David Loesch; outcome: approved; vote: Wedel, Maly, Loesch — aye. • Resolution #24-90 (disposition of old County Clerk records) — mover: Clarence Maly; outcome: approved; vote: Wedel, Maly, Loesch — aye.

Why it matters: The change order represents the largest single dollar action taken at the meeting and increases the scope and cost of the courthouse renovation project; the ARPA allocation and other routine financial approvals affect county budgets and operations. The board scheduled follow-up for items not acted on and adjourned to meet July 15, 2024.