08-04-2025
Stephens County Courthouse to temporarily close today for waterline repairs
The Stephens County Courthouse will close, with limited access to courtrooms, during waterline line repairs today.
Chairman Todd Churchman said the City of Duncan will make waterline repairs April 8 and the courthouse will not have access to water for a minimum of four hours.
Because of the repairs, the county board approved to close the Stephens County Courthouse, Sheriff's Office and Election Board Tuesday with limited access to the courts.
Churchman said two of the courtrooms will remain open for necessary business. He said security will be in attendance for upstairs access.
'The rest of the courthouse will be closed,' he said.
Stephens County Maintenance Director Steve Kaiser said crews will work on the jail to remain operational.
In the next order of business during the Monday meeting, Construction Manager At-Risk Butch Lawson gave a brief update for American Rescue Plan Act projects. He said electricians will continue to work on the generator for the Stephens County Courthouse Annex. He said there's a scheduled power outage for 7 a.m. Friday to disconnect power and run it through the power transfer.
Lawson said they will wait for a larger regulator for the meter to hook up the gas.
The Stephens County Sheriff's Office and Election Board will close Friday, April 11 for work on the generator. For emergencies call 911, for other SCSO needs, call 580-255-3131.
For the fairgrounds, Lawson said concrete crews began onsite and crews started installation for the roof on the banquet hall section.
He said over the next few weeks crews will begin interior framing.
The board then opened up a request to serve as a hosting entity for the Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Wildhorse Fire that happened March 14 near Velma.
Commissioner Russell Morgan asked if all fire departments put in something.
Emergency Manager Gary Curtis said all departments received notification.
The board approved to authorize Curtis to submit the required documentation for eligible reimbursement.
Finally, the board went into executive session for around 30 minutes to discuss the emergency manager's position.
After reconvening into open session, the board took no action.
In other news, the board approved:
• The disposition of an unclaimed decedent.
• To acknowledge a letter of resignation from fair board member, Eric Martin, and to affirm the appointment of Justin Parks to represent District #3 with a term set to end January 2028. Parks will replace Martin's position on the fair board.
The Stephens County Commissioners will convene again at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 14 at the Stephens County Courthouse.
