Kingfisher County COVID-19 cases increased by 34 in the last two weeks, County Emergency Management Director Steve Loftis advised county commissioners Monday.

Loftis reported a total of 183 active county cases as of Monday’s meeting, compared to 149 at their last meeting on Dec. 14.

Loftis listed cases by community as follow: Cashion 37, Dover four, Hennessey 54, Kingfisher 63, Loyal nine and Okarche 16.

Loftis said the state Center for Disease Control are predicting another rise after Christmas and New Year’s holiday get-togethers.

Vaccine has been given to 72 medical care providers and first responders at Mercy Hospital-Kingfisher.

A second shot is required 21 days after the first one. home residents

Nursing home residents will be the next group to receive vaccinations and senior citizens (over 65-yearsold) will follow in receiving the free, government supplied vaccinations.

Loftis said the county has had 1,413 cases since the pandemic hit with 1,220 recovered and 10 deaths to this point.

In other action, the board reorganized for the 2021 fiscal year with District 3 Commissioner Heath Dobrovolny advancing to Chairman, succeeding District 2 Commissioner Ray Shimanek, who will become member, and District 1 Commissioner Jeff Moss moving to vice-chairman.

The board routinely rotates positions annually. The chairman has additional duties such as serving on the board of tax roll corrections and ceremonial duties but receives no additional remuneration.

Commissioners appointed Matt Murrray of Omega to succeed the late Ronnie Fry on the Kingfisher 522 Emergency Ambulance board, as recommended by Fire Chief Tony Stewart.

They also took the following actions:

• Approved a bridge inspection invoice of $1,160 for inspection of five county bridges and consultations by the Division 4 Engineer and the bridge owner (Kingfisher County);

• Approved the filing period for three fair board positions as Jan. 11-15 with the office of County Clerk Jeannie Boevers during regular courthouse open hours and set the election between the hours of 10 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at the county court house lobby. Fair board members whose three-year positions are up for election include: Jeff Henrich, District 1; Luke Lough, District 2, and Frank Staude, District 3.

Those elected at the fairboard meeting will serve with the following hold-over board members: District 1— David Gerken and Jay Evans; District 2 —Mike Witt and Charles Patocka, and District 3 — Mark Walta and Shane Clifton.

• Appointed Cassie Sigl as receiving officer in the court clerk’s office, succeeding Lindsey Weaver.

• Approved a road crossing permit for Markwest Energy in District 1 for eight-inch and four-inch gas pipelines located five miles south and one mile east of Kingfisher;

• Approved a road crossing permit for a Maverick Wind Project transmission line in District 2 located six miles west and three miles north of Hennessey, and,

• Approved a 56-cent per mile reimbursement, following IRS guidelines for the 2021 calendar year.

Present for the meeting in addition to all commissioners were Emma Lee as minute clerk, County Engineer Nik Smith, County Pipeline Inspector Cody Murray and Loftis.