A local distributor will earn no profit in providing fuel for the Kingfisher Public Schools’ fleet.

The Kingfisher Board of Education voted unanimously at last Monday’s regular December meeting to award the district fuel bid to Cowboy Express Fuel, which is owned by Randy Myers, Heath Myers and Kris Eaton.

The district voted at the November meeting to seek bids to have a diesel tank, unleaded tank and DEF tote installed at the site of the bus barn as well as fuel delivery services.

District officials reached out to multiple local gas stations and distributors. Three offered fleet card service and one didn’t reply.

Only Cowboy Express Fuel (CEF) and CHS returned bids, which asked for the two tanks to be 2,000 gallons each.

The CHS bid was $11,550 for the two tanks and then cost plus freight for the fuel.

However, the CEF bid provides the two tanks and pumps at no cost to the district. It was also offering the fuel at cost plus freight, which meant no markup or profit for CEF.

BoardmemberBradWittrock made mention of the “generous” CEF bid before voting.

Interim Superintendent Andy Evans agreed.

“They’re taking care of us,” Evans said. “They’re doing a community service.”

The board also gave Evans the authority to negotiate with Interbank on non-payable warrants for the December payroll.

Evans said the step may not be necessary, but wanted to be prepared in case.

“I believe it will be fine,” Evans said. “But just in case we don’t get revenue in, we have to work with Interbank because that’s where our accounts are.”

The district is not yet receiving ad valorem taxes because tax bills have yet to be sent out.

“We’ve had ad valorem issues at a point in the year where ad valorem comes in and takes care of that,” Evans said. “But it doesn’t mean we’ll be doing it.”

The board voted to approve a legal services agreement for the 2024-25 school year with The Center for Education Law, P.C.

Andy Fugitt represented the firm at the meeting and also joined school board members and Evans in the executive session later in the meeting.

The school district has now submitted a report that was approved by the board that could lead to free meals for students in the district.

The low-income student count at KPS meets the criteria for the program, according to Evans.

He said the report and application have been submitted for approval and he is awaiting the next steps.