Kingfisher remained the only community in the county with COVID cases Monday, with 16 – up nine from the preceding week.

The county was down by seven cases as Cashion was down six, Hennessey seven and Okarche five from the preceding week, according to statistics from the state health department as listed on the county commissioners’ weekly meeting agenda Monday.

County Clerk Jeannie Boevers reported that the state auditor and inspector’s office would be in the county between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Wednesday for a closing visit on the audits for the fiscal years 2017-18 and 19 and checked to make sure all commissioners could be present.

Commissioners approved an $80,700 bid for a day-cab water truck for all districts from Anderson Trucks of Edmond. A second bid document contained a “no bid” notation.

Commissioners also approved calling for bids for printing contracts for election ballots and a motor grader for District 2.

They approved three road crossing permits for Ovintiv in District 3, a permanent 12-inch line located four miles west and one mile south of Loyal, and two 90-day permits for 12-inch lines, one located four miles north and three miles west of Okarche and the second four miles west and four miles north of Okarche.

Other permits approved included one for a permanent salt water line for BCE Mach III Midstream located seven miles south of Hennessey in District 2 and two public service access drives for Markwest Oklahoma Gas in District 1 three miles east and one mile south of Kingfisher.

Pioneer Telephone Cooperative received permission for a permit for a cable in District 2 located north of Hennessey near the Garfield County line.

A CED#8 invoice of $508.50 for bridge inspections received approval as did monthly reports from the sheriff, county clerk, treasurer, assessor and county health department offices.

Resolutions for the disposal of equipment for the assessor’s office – a back-up battery system – and from the treasurer’s office – two Xerox copiers and two Xerox printers were approved.

State reimbursement forms for the election board and district attorney offices received approval.

Commissioners approved American Rescue Act Plan pay for all employees eligible March-June 2020.

Commission Chairman Heath Dobrovolny gaveled the meeting to order when Vice Chairman Jeff Moss and District 2 Commissioner Ray Alan Shimanek began to joke about the possibility of electing Dobrovolny as the permanent chairman because of the outstanding job he has done this year.

The commissioners traditionally rotate the board offices annually.

The chairmanship requires the attendance at several additional duties and representation at ceremonial events.

County Engineer Nik Smith also attended the meeting, joining in the good-natured discussion of a permanent chairmanship.