Now on the 20th day of January 2026, the County Commissioners in and for Washita County met in regular session with Chairman Chandler calling the meeting to order.
Chairman Chandler asked Kristen Dowell, County Clerk, for roll call. Roll call was answered by Gossen, present; Gray, present; Chandler, present.
Prayer was led by Chairman Chandler.
The Board reviewed the minutes of the previous regular meeting. Motion made by Gray seconded by Gossen to approve the minutes as presented. Gossen, yes; Gray, yes; Chandler, yes.
Motion made by Gossen seconded by Gray to approve the blanket purchase orders as filed in the County Clerk’s Office. Gossen, yes; Gray, yes; Chandler, yes.
Motion made by Gossen seconded by Gray to sign the OSF Form 3 for reimbursement of the salary of the Election Board Secretary by the State Election Board for the month of December. Gossen, yes; Gray, yes; Chandler, yes.
Motion made by Gray seconded by Gossen to approve payroll for the month of January for all county employees. Gossen, yes; Gray, yes; Chandler, yes.
Motion made by Gray seconded by Gossen to appoint Chris Black to the Washita County Free Fair Board to fill the vacancy in District 2. Gossen, yes; Gray, yes; Chandler, yes. Kristen Dowell, County Clerk, made a presentation demonstrating the banking and accounting sides of the general fund finances and how the revenue collections of the current fiscal year affect the cash fund balance used to begin the new year. The presentation reflected the cash fund balance, expenses, and revenue collections of the general fund for the first six months of the current fiscal year. No action was taken.
The Board held a discussion with the local fire department representatives, the Sheriff and his department employees, and other elected officials regarding the dispatching services provided to emergency responders. Representatives from various fire departments within the county expressed concerns and needs regarding emergency calls and the accuracy of the information provided to the responders. Sheriff Rozell and Meredith Perkins, Administrative Assistant, discussed recent turnover, lack of experience, and an understaffed department contributing to misinformation being provided to the emergency responders. All present acknowledged that the county’s lack of available funding is a problem as well. The Commissioners discussed the possibility of one Commissioner and the Sheriff department attending the quarterly fire association meetings to receive feedback and hold discussions about the services received in the current quarter. All in attendance agreed the goal was to provide the best service possible to serve and protect the citizens of Washita County. No action was taken.
Motion made by Gossen seconded by Gray to approve the following claims for payment: 2025-2026: General 689, Amazon Capital Services, Inc, 63.79, Supplies 690, CODA, 250.00, Registration Fees 691, TouchTone Communications, 47.57, Phone Service 692, McKinsey Ford, 69.95, Maintenance 693, Gatlins Garage LLC, 91.62, Maintenance 694, McKinsey Ford, 49.95, Maintenance 695, Washita County Treasurer, 1983.09, Payroll 696, A.T.’s Heat & Air, LLC, 240.00, Repair Service 697, Cordell Beacon Co. Inc., 2219.02, Publications; Highway 858, Service Oklahoma, 85.00, Tag 859, Windstream, 322.79, Phone Service 860, Kirby-Smith Machinery Inc., 3573.04, Repair Service 861, Service Oklahoma, 47.50, Tag 862, TouchTone Communications, 81.96, Phone Service 863, CODA, 125.00, Registration Fees 864, CODA Conference, 125.00, Registration Fees 865, CODA, 125.00, Registration Fees 866, TreviPay (Walmart), 35.55, Parts 867, Oklahoma Natural Gas, 189.08, Gas Service 868, Oklahoma Natural Gas, 418.61, Gas Service 869, Dub Ross Co., 1073.60, Pipe 870, Western Equipment, 453.24, Parts 871, Janning Welding & Supply LLC, 172.96, Supplies 872, Janning Welding & Supply LLC, 172.96, Supplies 873, Janning Welding & Supply LLC, 172.96, Supplies 874, Public Service Company Of Oklahoma, 185.58, Utilities 875, Okla. Dept. Of Transportation, 3540.63, Lease Pmts. 876, Office Depot, 789.64, Supplies; CBRI 13, Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions Inc., 9477.73, Road Oil; ML Fee 31, County Clerks & Deputies Association, 175.00, Membership Dues; SH Commissary 36, U. S. Post Office, 78.00, Postage; SH Svc Fee 237, Law Enforcement Psychological Services Inc, 125.00, Training 238, Hunzicker Brothers Inc., 560.57, Supplies 239, OU Medical Center-Presby, 527.00, Medical Services 240, True Vision Optometric Group, 539.00, Medical Services 241, Cordell Family Clinic, 50.00, Medical Services 242, Cordell Memorial Hospital, 2970.00, Medical Services 243, Price Prints, 2536.00, Uniforms 244, AT&T MOBILITY, 87.72, Internet Service 245, AT&T MOBILITY, 379.28, Phone Service 246, Days Pest Control Inc., 225.00, Pest Control 247, Oklahoma Natural Gas, 934.11, Gas Service 248, Oklahoma Sheriffs Assn., 600.00, Membership Dues 249, Rozell, Kevin Mark, 133.40, Travel 250, Courtyard By Marriott OKC Northwest, 188.00, Room/Food/Phone; Amb Svc Dist-ST 25, Bound Tree Medical LLC, 77.16, Supplies; Extension-ST 59, Culligan, 62.50, Bottled Water 60, TouchTone Communications, 100.45, Phone Service 61, Oklahoma State University, 6666.66, Contract Services; Rural Fire-ST 39, Troy Jones Equipment & Truck Sales Inc, 509.99, Supplies; SR Cit-ST 61, United Pro Solutions LLC, 156.00, Repair Service; Jail Debt Payments 7, Washita County Public Facilities Authority, 64711.97, Jail Debt Payment; Community Expansion Of Nutrition Assistance Revolving Fund 1, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, 1779.00, Insurance Premium; Drug Court 44, National Test Systems, 252.00, Service 45, AT&T MOBILITY, 111.39, Phone Service 46, Amazon Capital Services, Inc, 82.88, Supplies Motion made by Gossen seconded by Gray to adjourn. Gossen, yes; Gray, yes; Chandler, yes.
The Board discussed adding a burn ban option to the agenda next week and in the following weeks in case the need to issue one occurs. No action was taken.
GREG CHANDLER, CHAIRMAN BART GOSSEN, VICE-CHAIRMAN DAVID GRAY, MEMBER KRISTEN DOWELL, COUNTY CLERK Notice posted 01/16/26