Kingfisher County commissioners accepted county 911 board duties at their meeting Monday.

The board of directors for the countywide emergency calling service dissolved at its last meeting, District 3 County Commissioner Heath Dobrovolny reported.

Dobrovolny said the board had expressed concerns about the power of their board and getting a quorum at meetings.

Dobrovolny said he became aware of the problems last month and sought advice from the district attorney.

He said service will not be impacted.

Asked if that will not cause additional work for the board of county commissioners, Dobrovolny replied, “yes, but it is our duty.”

City-County Emergency Management Director Steve Loftis said three new COVID-19 cases had been reported in the county during the preceding 24 hours, giving the county 29 active cases – 11 at Hennessey, eight in Kingfisher, three in Cashion, three in Dover, three in Okarche and one at Loyal.

He said the Times and Free Press article last week reporting that two additional deaths had occurred at Hennessey of COVID-19 had not been confirmed by the state health department, possibly because the deaths may have been attributed to factors other than the virus.

Commissioners approved the purchase of a 2016 sixwheel-drive diesel road grader from Cummins Equipment Co., at a bid price of $189,900.

Other bidders included: Warren Caterpillar, $220,000; Sany Construction, $193,794.07, and Yellowhouse, $177,000.

Dobrovolny said that while he liked the Yellowhouse price, the machine it bid on was smaller than the specifications required.

“I believe we have to go with the bid specs,” he said in moving to accept the Cummins bid.

Comissioner Jeff Moss joined Dobrovolny in making the action unanimous.

Shimanek moved to approve recommending Circuit Engineering District 8 as the construction manager for a bridge over Turkey Creek that is on District 2’s five-year road plan.

The bridge is located 4.5 miles south and 2.4 miles west of Hennessey.

The bridge is in the engineering phase.

Dobrovolny and Moss voted with Shimanek in favor of the action.

Commissioners approved a change order totaling $5,886.53 for the Grounds Guys in a project for Rural Water District on Lake Elmer Road northwest of Kingfisher. The change order concerns a creek bore at $4,644.62 and a road bore at $1,241.91.

Two changes in the Hennessey Library staff duties received unanimous approval. Lyndsey Kopsa was approved as requisition officer and Jennifer Moreno as receiving officer.

Commissioners approved the contract for Haskell Lemons to do an asphalt overlay on Omega Road and notice to proceed. Haskell Lemons submitted the low bid on the project at an earlier meeting.

Road permits were approved for the following:

• Ovintiv Exploration received a pipeline crossing permit for a 12-inch line two miles east and three miles south of Loyal, District 3.

• Markwest Oklahoma Gas Co. received approval for a access drive installation five miles south and 8.5 miles west of Kingfisher 2639 feet west of the northeast corner of Section 23-Township 15 North-Range 9 West in District 3. A culvert will not be needed.

• Blue Ribbon Construction – public service-access drive at 1,600 to 1,700 feet west of EW 830 Road and Euclid, District 1, Cashion housing addition.

County Engineer Nik Smith reminded that a county safety training meeting will begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the fairgrounds in Kingfisher.

County Clerk Jeannie Boevers reported that Halloween Trick or Treat will be held Oct. 30 and Kingfisher Police Department will provide traffic control in front of the courthouse.

Others present at the meeting included Sheriff Dennis Banther, County pipeline inspector Cody Murray and representatives of companies bidding on the road grader Jeremy Crouch of Warren Cat, Peyton Egleston of Sany Equipment Share and Dusty Bittle of Yellowhouse.