Garfield County commissioners appoint juvenile officers, approve $276,676 equipment lease and multiple budget measures

The Board of Garfield County Commissioners met March 31, 2025 in Enid and unanimously approved a slate of administrative actions, including appointments to the Juvenile Office and several equipment and fund transactions.

Chairman Clarence Maly presided over the meeting. Commissioners Reese Wedel (Vice-Chairman) and Joe Kegin Jr. joined Maly in voting aye on every recorded motion during the session.

Appointments and personnel: The Board, after meeting with Judge Sean Hill, approved Polly Watkins as Garfield County Juvenile Officer and Michele Lamle as Assistant Juvenile Officer. Joy Baker-Qualls presented February 2025 Juvenile Office statistics; the Board took no action on the report.

Large equipment and procurement approvals: Commissioners authorized a lease-purchase agreement with P & K Equipment for a 2025 John Deere 6145 M Cab tractor with boom mower attachments for District No. 1 in the amount of $276,676.91. The Board also renewed Lease Purchase Agreement #232766 for a 2023 John Deere wheel loader (#6919) for District No. 3 for one year at $6,568.76, and approved the purchase and installation of 10 new courtroom benches for $13,650.00.

Facilities and contracts: The Board authorized a 15-year NDL warranty for a Dura-Last roofing system through Heritage Roofing for the new District Attorney’s Office at 108 S. Independence St. (the minutes record the aye vote line with a clerical duplication of Commissioner Kegin’s name; the vote count was unanimous). The Board approved the Fall Protection Program update to the Garfield County Safety Manual and approved an OG&E road crossing permit.

Budget and appropriations: The commissioners approved two Cash Fund Estimates of Needs and Requests for Appropriation for Drug Court totaling $33,750.00 ($28,750.00 and $5,000.00), a Rural Fire — Sales Tax appropriation of $154.00 and a Highway Unrestricted appropriation of $2,775.20. They also approved Resolution #25:25 to add a D.A. Seized Property Cash Fund to the Chart of Accounts.

Surplus and disposal of equipment: The Board declared several county-owned computers, a scanner and a router obsolete and ordered specified items junked under Resolutions #25-26, #25-27, #25-28 and #25-29. The minutes list purchase dates and inventory codes for the affected equipment.

Claims and purchase orders: The Board examined and approved a long list of prior-year and current-year warrants and claims, including American Rescue Plan Act capital outlay entries (for example, Henson Construction Co. for $200,573.00) and multiple maintenance and operation warrants. A Blanket Purchase Order was also authorized as filed in the County Clerk’s Office.

Held and carried items: Mike Honigsberg of Garfield County Emergency Management discussed using Dobson Fiber for backup internet at the Annex Building; the Board voted to table that item until the following week. Honigsberg also raised the Garfield County Coop Plan and said he would obtain written quotes for fencing at the Annex; the Board carried that item to a later date.

Presentation: Representatives from Kellpro Inc. presented their software to the Board during the afternoon session; no action was taken on the presentation.

Procedural matters: The Board recessed at 11:21 a.m. and reconvened at 1:38 p.m. With no further business, the Board adjourned to meet April 7, 2025. Lorraine Legere, County Clerk and Secretary, attested the minutes.

Votes at a glance: All recorded motions during the March 31 meeting were approved by roll call as Aye: Clarence Maly, Reese Wedel and Joe Kegin Jr.; Nay: None (minutes contain a clerical duplication in one aye line that is noted above).