Kingfisher County Emergency Manager Steve Loftis told county commissioners at Monday’s meeting that no new COVID-19 cases had been reported in the county since April 26.

That paves the way to open the courthouse next Monday, May 18.

Commission Chairman Ray Alan Shimanek said the opening next Monday could still be delayed if there is an upsurge in coronavirus cases, in which case an announcement would be made ahead of time.

Ed. note: Another confirmed county case was reported Tuesday, bringing the total to nine, with eight already recovered.

Hennessey Care Center confirmed that one of its residents who was asymptomatic was tested upon admission and the result came back positive.

The resident had been in a private room and was discharged to family members when the positive result came back. No other residents or staff members have exhibited symptoms, the care center said in a statement.

When contacted by the Times & Free Press, Commissioner Heath Dobrovolny said the single additional county case was not enough to sideline the planned courthouse reopening.

Commissioners approved a list of work policies and procedures that will go into effect with the courthouse reopening, including recommended self-screening for illness symptoms and masks, for those entering the courthouse beginning next Monday.

Other restrictions include prohibiting non-essential business travel and pre-approved travel approval in writing by appropriate elected officials for essential travel, adequate hand-washing and appropriate respiratory etiquette, social distancing, postponing non-essential meetings, refraining from employees using other workers’ equipment and efforts to disinfect work places daily, all procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Associate District Judge Lance Schneiter said plans have not yet been made to return to a normal court schedule.

While telephonic and some limited in-person emergency hearings have continued, most of the court’s normal dockets had been postponed to at least May 15.

Commissioners opened and tabled 18 bids on refurbishing and painting the Rural Water District No. 3 water tower at the meeting.

RWD 3 Chairman Francis Nault and Engineer Phil Brown attended the meeting.

Engineer Brown estimated the cost of work on the project at $15,000 for the painting and $105,000 for the other work.

A number of bids came in below the estimate but bids were tabled to allow Engineer Nik Smith time to study the low bids to determine that they met specifications.

County commissioners approved the following actions:

• monthly reports for the sheriff, court clerk, assessor, county clerk, treasurer and health departments.

• reimbursement claims of the election board ($2,958) and district attorney ($608.01) offices to the state of Oklahoma. Both are state offices which receive partial support from the county.

• a bridge design for a new steel and concrete bridge south of the Six Mile Bar on EW 0712 Roads at NS 2960 Road. The old District 1 bridge was washed out by flooding in 2019.

• released a $50,000 bond for Alta Mesa related to a permit laying and operation of a temporary above-ground water line.

• a $5,000 county emergency management quarterly grant.

• Appropriations and transfer for all county offices for the month of April.

Deputy County Clerk Emma Lee served as recording clerk for the meeting.

District 3 Commissioner Heath Dobrovolny, board vice-chairman, and District 1 Commissioner Jeff Moss joined Shimanek in making all actions unanimous.

Also present for the meeting was Sheriff Dennis Banther.