Garfield County commissioners approve $600,000 highway appropriation, ARPA carpet work and multiple contracts

The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners on April 8 approved a series of routine financial and administrative items, including a $600,000 appropriation for the Highway Unrestricted fund, the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for carpet removal at a county facility, and a contract to provide directly observed therapy for tuberculosis patients.

Vice-Chairman Clarence Maly moved to approve routine minutes and several appointments and authorizations; David Loesch moved a separate slate of items including the highway appropriation and contracts. The three commissioners—Chairman Reese Wedel, Vice-Chairman Clarence Maly and Member David Loesch—voted unanimously on recorded motions throughout the meeting.

Why it matters: the highway appropriation and other fund transfers authorize immediate spending for county operations and maintenance. The board also used ARPA funds to cover a facility carpet removal estimated at $3,833.88 and approved $18,445.48 in ARPA-related appropriations, signaling continued local use of federal relief dollars for facility and service needs.

Key approvals and outcomes

- Highway appropriation: Commissioner David Loesch moved and the board approved a Cash Fund Estimate of Needs and Request for Appropriation for Highway Unrestricted in the amount of $600,000.00. The motion passed with all three commissioners voting in the affirmative.

- ARPA resolution for carpet removal: Vice-Chairman Clarence Maly moved to approve Resolution #24-51 to use ARPA funds to pay $3,838.88 for carpet removal at the new Garfield County facility at 108 S. Independence; the resolution passed unanimously.

- Contract for TB treatment: The board approved and authorized the chairman to sign a contract with Jolene Guavis and the Garfield County Health Department to provide Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) for tuberculosis patients, effective April 8, 2024 through June 30, 2024.

- Bid award for District 2 truck: The board opened sealed bids for Bid #24-13 (2015 or newer single-axle day cab truck tractor for District #2). The board accepted Bruckner’s bid of $33,650.00 and awarded the purchase to Bruckner’s, with unanimous approval.

- Appointments and agreements: The board approved the Letter of Appointment of Marc Bolz to the Northern Oklahoma Development Authority for a two-year term, authorized four Autry Vo-Tech training agreements for county safety training, and appointed an agent to Henson Construction for Courthouse Renovation Phase 2.

- Claims, warrants and reports: Commissioners approved numerous purchase orders and warrants across county funds, a claim to the State Election Board for salary reimbursement of $5,599.58 for Election Board Secretary Shari Monsees, monthly reports for March 2024 from several county offices (subject to audit), and the Garfield County Treasurer Fee Report for March in the amount of $2,629.01.

What the board did not act on: The clerk noted that agenda items not acted upon were carried over to a later date.

Looking ahead: The board adjourned and set its next regular meeting for April 15, 2024.

(Reporting based on the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners’ April 8, 2024 meeting minutes.)