Kingfisher County commissioners approved a bid for remodeling the Hennessey Fire Department Monday on the recommendation of Assistant Fire Chief James Matousek, who led a delegation of department members to the commission’s weekly meeting.

Matousek said the bids for the project came in about $250,000 over expectations, so recommended accepting the base bid of $1,862,000 with $3.620 inspection allowance and Alternate No. 1 – $42,000 for a tin roof.

Two other alternates were declined.

Matousek said Hennessey Fire Department had available funds to cover that amount.

Funds for the project will be derived primarily from a countywide sales tax dedicated to fire departments.

The Henson representative, Walker Henson, indicated work could begin on the project in six to eight weeks.

Six companies bid on the project.

Commissioners also approved a public access drive for Mach III/Ranger Construction located three miles south and eight miles east of Hennessey and a permit for K&J Construction for a four-inch water line located two miles east of Dover, both in District 2, plus approval for four pipeline crossings in District 1 located as follow:

• a 10-inch and 12-inch water line located 10 miles east and one mile south of the U.S.81-Dover Crescent Road intersection.

• 10-inch and 12-inch gas lines located 11 miles east and one mile south of the U.S.81/DC intersection.

Present for the meeting in addition to County Commissioners Heath Dobrovolny, District 3, Ray Alan Shimanek, District 2, and Jeff Moss, District 1, and Matousek were Brandon Scott and John Streck, of Hennessey Fire Department, RonTownsend of Ranger Ron Construction, Brad Wittrock and Andrew Martin of Zyzer Paving in Kingfisher, Monty Taylor of Dover, representing Shuterra, and Walker Henson of Henson Construction, Enid.