Creek County is purchasing 50 air scrubbers for the Courthouse Complex buildings, Jail, Juvenile Justice Center, and Election Board. At Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting Project Coordinator Paul Farris recommended using local vendor Hudson Plumbing for the project. The total cost of $36,250 is to be paid from the CARES Act Reimbursement Fund and if there is any unforeseen remaining balance it will be paid from the Use Tax Fund.
There was a discussion over the remaining amounts of CARES Act money—District 1 Commissioner Newt Stephens pledged his remaining portion to the project and said that should cover the balance. District 2 Commissioner Leon Warner said that he will verify his District’s balance and that any remaining funds can be donated to the purchase. Stephens suggested using any additional balance toward payroll for other County departments performing COVID-related work.
Assistant District Attorney Andrew Goforth reported that the County has an employee related to Hudson Plumbing and that he has prepared an affidavit for both parties to sign stating that no inside information was exchanged regarding this project. A representative from the plumbing company, Richard Hudson, stated that his parents own the business and that he is married to a County employee.
Stephens said he was confident that the company’s quotes were not based on any confidential information and attested that County Clerk Jennifer Mortazavi had received quotes for the same machines and installation for her office well before the Board decided to move forward with getting quotes for the various other County sites. In fact, Stephens said, the company lowered the price after doing the work for the Clerk’s office.
This project was unanimously approved by Stephens, Warner, and First Deputy Roger Smith, who sat in for absent District 3 Commissioner Lane Whitehouse.
The Commissioners had a discussion over hiring or contracting with a grant writer or administrator for the County and ultimately decided to table the issue. Stephens highlighted current funding constraints due to Highway Department expenses and advised saving the money that was budgeted for the position. He explained, “I think that this would be in the best interest of the county. I would like to be transparent with the public and everyone, although I see a great need in the position, I think it is best we wait a little while.” Warner agreed, saying that revenue from the State has decreased and that the County should be cautious with the funds they have.
Samantha Givings will replace Amanda Lawson as the Requisitioning Officer for the Creek County Health Department accounts, as Lawson is leaving her position with the County. This was unanimously approved by the Board.
Goforth announced that there would be one more docket that day at 1:30 p.m. for Traffic Court, which would involve 50 to 100 people, but that due to an Administrative Order from Judge Golden, all other court proceedings will be on hold until after December 11, 2020. This shutdown was encouraged based on a Supreme Court Order and a Court of Appeals Order. Goforth said that the District Attorney’s and Court Clerk’s offices have been encouraged to work on non-courtroom issues and emergency cases, and that when the order is lifted, it is likely that the court proceedings will shift to video conferencing. The Courthouse will remain open and phone numbers will be posted for a point of contact for each office.
Covey Murray, Emergency Management Director, stated that as of Friday the County had 465 active COVID-19 cases, 56 of which were new, and 45 deaths. Warner stated the numbers “keep climbing [in Creek County] like they are statewide.” He mentioned that hospitals have been asked to reduce elective surgeries so they will have space for COVID patients. He and Smith were the majority in voting to continue the County’s emergency resolution for another week, with Stephens voting against it.
