Melissa Graham

The Board of County Commissioners held multiple sessions where key actions included the election of Bruce Walker as Chairman and Wade Anders as Vice-Chairman for 2026. The Board approved miscellaneous and blanket purchase orders, authorized the distribution of the December 2025 alcoholic beverage tax allocation, and approved December 2025 Appropriations for Custer County. Purchase orders and claims for payment were approved across various funds including General, Health, and Highway. The Board approved Public Service/Pipeline Crossing Ingress and Egress Permits and later approved a resolution for the sale and transfer of two John Deere Tractors to Washita County, along with a separate resolution for disposing of obsolete equipment through auction. A resolution was adopted concerning the notice of election for the Fair Board, setting dates for February 10, 2026, and the filing period. Officer's reports were approved, and the IRS mileage reimbursement rate effective January 1, 2026, was adopted. A resolution declaring surplus assets from Highway District 3 was passed, and payroll for Custer County employees was approved across sessions. In a subsequent meeting, the Board approved a transfer document for a sand spreader between Highway Districts and authorized the expenditure of ARPA funds for Phase 2 of Land Records Indexing. The meeting on January 26, 2026, was canceled due to snow.

The Custer County Excise Board addressed various appropriations for different county funds, including Highway Cash, Health Department, County Clerk funds, Sheriff Fee Cash Fund, Courthouse Security, CAVIR, Assessor Fee Revolving, DA Grant funds, Sales Tax categories (General Government, Extension, Sheriff, Free Fair, Rural Fire Departments), Sheriff Law Enforcement Block Grant, Rural Convenience Center, Custer/Washita Drug Court, Sinking Fund, CBRI, and ETR Fund. The Board also reviewed and processed several fund transfers between various county accounts. A key action taken was the approval of 50% of the appropriations and the approval of the Estimate of Needs for Custer County, which included the Visual Inspection Budget. A separate matter involved a Request for Approval of State Aid and/or Federal Funds for School District I-99.

The discussion focused on the bids received for the District 3 Bridge Project, located on County Road N2170 South of Highway 33. The meeting included the review of individual bidders and their respective pricing. A motion was subsequently approved to accept the bid submitted by Dietz Welding & Bridge as the lowest and best bid.

The meetings addressed various financial and operational matters for Custer County. Key actions included approving transfers of appropriations within the Highway District, authorizing miscellaneous and blanket purchase orders, and approving officer reports from multiple county departments. The Board approved the distribution of the November 2025 alcoholic beverage tax allocation and the November 2025 Appropriations for Custer County. Several resolutions were passed concerning the declaration of surplus and disposal of obsolete equipment from the Assessor's office and the Emergency Management office. The Board also approved a Transportation Services Agreement and resolutions concerning the renewal of Interlocal Cooperative Agreement #2025-7 for Circuit Engineering District (CED) #7 and the appointment of Bruce Walker as Custer County's representative to the CED #7 Board of Directors. Further actions included approving an agreement for Oklahoma Internet Crimes Against Children Sub-Grantee Funds, approving amendments to a contract with the BIA, awarding Six Month Bids, awarding the bid for Election Ballot Printing, approving a donation of emergency response supplies, and approving the execution of a contract to purchase a grass seeder. Lease purchase agreements for road machinery, including an excavator and a loader backhoe, were approved along with corresponding ODOT claims. Finally, a resolution was adopted authorizing the County Commissioner of District 1 to apply for a grant under the Oklahoma Unpaved Roads Program to remove a wooden bridge and install a culvert. Purchase orders and claims for payment were approved across multiple funds.

The County Commissioners meeting involved a discussion and decision regarding ballot printing services. Bids were received from multiple vendors, including Mid-West Printing Company and Royal Printing Co., Inc. The bids included pricing for regular, absentee, and sample ballots, as well as additional costs for colored paper and shipping. Ultimately, the contract was awarded to Mid-West Printing.