Kingfisher City-County Emergency Management Director Steve Loftis advised county commissioners last week that the state emergency management office was not recommending county action in response to the uptick in COVID-19 cases.

At that time 32 cases of COVID-19 were reported in the county, a number that increased to 40 by the end of the week.

However, as a percentage of county population, that number is still considered low risk in a newly released state assessment system (see related story).

Loftis also advised commissioners he has ordered 2,000 additional face masks from the state office, which should arrive this week.

The masks will be stored in the county offices to be dispensed as needed to county emergency agencies, county officers and visitors, including the district courtroom where they are mandatory.

Loftis’ report came at the first of the weekly county meeting under “correspondence and reports.”

Commissioners also approved a number of action items, including a change in election worker compensation required by the Fair Labor Standards Act.

It requires that part-time election staff who work extra hours in school, municipal or special purpose district elections may not be compensated as contract labor but as part of the monthly payroll process.

The change will require the county to pay the employer’s share of social security.

Commissioners approved a resolution stating that no federal funding will be used on the replacement of a bridge over a tributary of Winter Camp Creek in District 3.

The bridge work had been started earlier then halted over environmental issues, County Engineer Nik Smith said.

The resolution is part of new regulatory requirements regarding permits.

The bridge is located on EW County Road 840 near its intersection with NS County Road 2780.

Commissioners approved disposing of a surplus computer and printer for District 1, employing Andrew E. Karim of Harrison and Mecklenburg Law offices for legal services at a rate of $295 per hour, regarding temporary pipelines, roadways and easements and defense of such issues as required, approved county depository banks, an investment policy for the treasurer’s office, a resale fund financial statement totaling $232,927.17, a resolution authorizing County Treasurer Robin Rother to invest county funds and a reimbursement claim to the state for the district attorney’s office.

The following were approved as depository banks for county funds: BancFirst of Kingfisher, F&M Bank of Kingfisher, Community National Bank of Okarche, Community State Bank of Cashion, Dover and Hennessey, State Treasurer of Oklahoma, Bank One of Tulsa, Bank of Oklahoma, N.A., Bank of Tulsa, N.A., BancFirst of Stillwater, BNY Trust Co. of Missouri, BancTrust, Oklahoma City, and UMB Bank of Kansas City.

Deposits are limited to FDIC insurance in effect at the institutions.

A public access drive installation for Little B’s Construction, in Section 32-16- 9 received approval as did monthly reports from the sheriff’s office, county clerk, assessor and health department and an order for Canadian and Blaine counties, an item that Shimanek sought legal counsel and was advised it was “routine business.”

Also present for the meeting were Assistant County Clerk Emily Lee who served as minute clerk, and Sheriff Dennis Banther.