Last May, Associate District Judge Lance Schneiter was among those who presented John Rice with the Liberty Bell Award, an honor bestowed by the county bar association to someone who has contributed to justice and the rule of law.

On Monday, Schneiter was instrumental in getting the Kingfisher County Drug Court director a raise for that work.

County commissioners approved a $6,000 increase in Rice’s salary, effective immediately.

The unanimous move came on the recommendation of Schneiter, who attended the regular weekly meeting.

On top of not receiving a raise or cost-of-living increase in his eight years with the county, Rice’s duties have increased, said Schneiter.

“We’ve increased the total number of programs from one to three,” Schneiter told the commission.

“Although the total number of participants is down, the paperwork has tripled.”

Rice not only oversees the mental health court and other diversionary programs, he helped draft the framework for them, noted Schneiter during the award presentation last year.

The increase in programs in the county has increased the funding from the state, which offers room in the budget for a salary increase.

“We’ve had a surplus the last 18 months,” Schneiter said.

The judge said he also surveyed surrounding counties with similar- sized programs. Kingfisher County’s payroll budget is less than those counties.

“Even with this raise, he would not be higher than Blaine County, Beckham County and a few others,” Schneiter said.

After the vote, Heath Dobrovolny, chairman of the county commission, offered: “Tell John we appreciate what he does for the county.”

The appointments of Michelle Miller and Jimmy Berkenbile to the Kingfisher County Excise-Equalization Board were approved.

Berkenbile’s appointment was recommended by commissioners and Miller by Schneiter.

A move was made to approve April as “Child Abuse Prevention Month.”

As part of that, the county allows wooden cutouts of children to be displayed on the county courthouse lawn throughout the month.

“Each wooden child represents a confirmed victim of child abuse and/ or neglect in Kingfisher County,” said Dustin Albright, executive director of the Garfield County Child Advocacy Council, also known as the CARE Campus, which made the request via a letter.

According to Albright, the Department of Human Services confirmed 57 cases of abuse in the 2023 fiscal year.

Three rights of way on county roads were approved:

• Two eight-inch steel lines were for Enlink Midstream in District 3. Both were located two miles west and one mile north of Okarche.

• One was a temporary water line for Ovintiv three miles south and three west of Loyal in District 3.

Also approved was an access drive about three-quarter mile north of Dover-Crescent Road on County Road 2930.

Commissioners also declared as surplus a wireless router, a security device and two map cabinets while also approving a resolution to dispose of a refrigerator.

Joining commissioners and Schneiter at the meeting were County Clerk Jeannie Boevers and Engineer Nik Smith.