Two members of the Kingfisher County Excise-Equalization Board – Jim Simmons of Cashion and Jim Shimanek of Hennessey – are retiring effective Thursday, June 30.

A reception in their honor will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday in the lobby of the Kingfisher County courthouse.

Simmons has served on the board for 25 and onehalf years and Shimanek has served for 11 years.

It was reported that two successors have been selected for the retiring officials –Michelle Miller of Cashion, representing District 1, and Jim Berkenbile of Hennessey, representing District 2.

The third member of the board is Jim Wittrock of Okarche.

The district judge appoints the District 1 member of the board, county commissioners appoint the District 2 board member and the state Senate the third member.

The excise board reviews and approves the budget of the county and some other subdivisions of county government and sets the ad valorem tax rates in keeping with the state constitution and statutes.

The report of the retirements came during the weekly meeting of the Kingfisher County Commissioners on Monday.

Commissioners approved the plat for the Lincoln Ridge Estates being developed by Daniel Ray located west of Cashion.

District 1 Commissioner Jeff Moss moved for the approval of the plat with District 3 Commissioner Heath Dobrovolny, board chairman, and District 2 Commissioner Ray Alan Shimanek joining him on making the action unanimous.

The plat request was carried over from the previous week’s meeting when it had been tabled to allow Moss time for additional study.

Moss emphasized that the action did not obligate the county for construction or maintenance of the development.

CAC Lawncare also received delayed approval of a contract for the health department. The agreement was tabled a week earlier in order to clarify certain details.

Disposal of four John Deere cab tractors belonging to Districts 1 and 2, which had been declared surplus a week earlier received approval at this week’s meeting.

A contract with Genasys, a communications equipment company received approval at a rate of $3,000 annually. The plan provides a mass notification service, allowing officials to communicate through voice, texting, email, mobile application, social media and more.

A message from Circuit Engineering District #8 reported that the county has been approved for an additional $100,000 in material request funds for fiscal year 2023, applicable to chip and seal and bridge projects. CED # 8 will provide engineering.

The letter from District

Engineer Donnie Head said the county could receive a total of $140,000 during the year, either as a lump sum or one $100,000 payment and two $20,000 payments.

Commissioners approved the quote of Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma Self-Insured Group (ACCO-SIG) property and liability insurance quote of $162,782 for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

K&J Construction received a permit for a county road pipeline crossing located seven miles east and one mile south of the U.S. 81/ Dover-Crescent Road intersection in District 1.

Two bridge replacement quotes of $44,900 from Horn and Son Construction of Sayre received approval.

Shimanek reminded that the courthouse would be closed Monday for the July 4th holiday