Commissioners awarded Kingfisher City Manager Jim Thomas a $10,000 bonus Monday for meeting or exceeding objectives during his first eight months on the job.

The unanimous vote came after an executive session during the commission’s March regular meeting.

A full job review will come in June, it was announced after the executive session.

Mayor Geoff Covalt and commissioners Dawn Taylor,

Kaci Farrar, Debbie Burpo and Kyle Mecklenburg were all present for the meeting held at City Hall.

Also present were Thomas, City Attorney Jared Harrison, City Clerk Brittney Hladik and City Treasurer Anita James.

In other business, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve paying TrueNorth $55,000 for GIS mapping services for the city.

The commissioners also approved the transfer of property of a small “sliver” of land to be transferred through a quit claim deed to Double D’s convenience store on the north edge of the city.

The commissioners also heard a request from representatives of the Farmers Market that annually has set up on the north edge of town during the spring and summer months.

Organizers said as they continue to try to make improvements, the addition of a portable restroom has been one of the biggest requests.

Thomas said he would look into the feasibility of the accommodations and would report back to the commission at a later date.

In other business, John Gooden, representing Kingfi sher Trails, asked the commissioners to approve plans to participate in a request he was planning for grant funding for the construction of a sidewalk along Will Rogers Avenue from U.S. Highway 81 to 13th Street, allowing for safe pedestrian traffic.

He said many school children walk that route from the high school to Mc-Donald’s restaurant and the sidewalk would make for a safer route, as most now walk on the street.

He also asked the commissioners to approve a resolution to participate in sponsorship in an application with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for 90% funding for the construction of a designated pedestrian crossing at Main Street and Will Rogers Avenue in conjunction with the sidewalk proposal.

The commissioners unanimously approved to proceed with the proposal.

In other business, the commissioners approved the insurance purchase of $158,738 for the OMAG Municipal Property Protection Plan.

The commissioners also approved a contract with Western Enterprises for the July 4 fireworks.

The commissioners approved the purchase of a small bucket truck from Altec at the purchase price of $157,535. The truck had been ordered last year.

Also approved was the purchase of 35 foot Class 3 utility poles from Bridgewell Resources, LLC for the price of $21,770.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Hladik announced that a retirement event was scheduled March 25 at the Kingfisher Memorial Library for Steve Loftis who is retiring as City-County Emergency Management Director.

The event is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

That same day, a retirement celebration for Tony Stewart, retiring fire chief will be hosted at City Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.