01-04-2025
Burn ban lapses in Stephens County
Stephens County Commissioners allowed the burn ban for the county to lapse this week.
Chairman Todd Churchman, said after the amount of rain this past week and more rain in the forecast, recommended to not renew the resolution. The burn ban went into effect two weeks ago in the face of wildfires in the area and across Oklahoma.
To let the ban lapse, the board took no action.
Bids for the Corum Volunteer Fire Department's new building then took the remaining focus Monday with County Commissioners after the board tabled 10 bids March 17.
Construction Manager At-Risk Butch Lawson said he received two quotes back for bid package two for the pre-engineered metal building, supply only. He said he received two active quotes and three other attempts where he received no response.
Lawson said he's good with accepting low bids for package one, three, five, six, seven, eight and nine. He said he would recommend to reject package four.
The board approved low bids for: concrete and site work from Wade Concrete Construction for $58,364; pre-engineered metal building erection from Ellco for $17,800; overhead doors from Duncan Door for $12,400; electrical services from M&M Electric for $14,500; plumbing from Farmers Plumbing for $28,650; HVAC from Davis Air Conditioning and Heating for $4,283 and spray applied insulation from Edwards Enterprises Rental for $11,500. The board also approved a low quote from Alliance Steel for $49,470 and rejected bid package four for general construction with a 3-0 vote.
The painting package didn't bring any bids.
In another segment, Commissioners heard from Lawson on a brief update for the work with the Stephens County Fairgrounds and Stephens County Courthouse Annex as part of the American Rescue Plan Act projects.
Lawson said the sheet iron is on top of the arena building and crews will prepare to begin trim soon. He said construction crews have the majority of the wall sheets up on the conference center.
'Moving right along,' he said. 'All of the materials are on-site.'
Lawson said the drywall crew will get started next on the project.
For the Courthouse Annex, Lawson said he talked with electricians and crews look to begin work Tuesday to get the generator up and running. He said the generator sits in place along with the transfer switch.
Additionally, the board took no action on setting a retirement date for Emergency Manager Gary Curtis.
In other news, the board approved:
• A permit from Oklahoma Corporation Commission in regards to a road location at Anderson between Lawler and Duncan Lake Road in District #1.
• Accepting a donation for 3,340 tons of oil-based drill cuttings from Back Yard Environmental for District #1.
• Three cooperative agreements for District #1, District #2 and District #3.
• Three fairground rental agreements for: the Cord McCoy PRCA Rodeo in the Stephens County Arena May 2-3; the GOP Fish Fry in the Winchester Room, the Heritage Room and the Stephens County Arena May 17; and a family reunion in the Harvest Room May 25.
The Stephens County Commissioners will convene again at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 7 at the Stephens County Courthouse.
