Commissioners take no action on potential fee to all civil cases filed

The Board of County Commissioners held their final meeting in the 2014-15 fiscal year on Tuesday morning. The three-member board for the second time discussed Senate Bill 456 which would allow a fee on civil cases filed to benefit courthouse security.

Guthrie News Page has the meeting on video and can be viewed at the conclusion of this article.

Gov. Mary Fallin signed into law House Bill 456 that allows counties to improve their courthouse security by charging a fee when civil cases, like divorces or child custody, are filed. The fees can range from $1 to $10, but Logan County officials wanting the full $10.

Currently, a $10 fee is collected with each criminal filing to benefit security along with the Sheriff’s Office budget.

The commissioners took no action on Tuesday, but District 3 Commissioner Marven Goodman says he is not in favor of adding the “tax.”

“I am opposed to adding additional fees or fines. It’s basically a tax and it’s probably a tax on the people who can least afford it.”

Earlier this month, Court Clerk Rejenia Zmek said the need for more security was warranted and Undersheriff Craig McCleary said, with the commissioner’s approval of the added fee, the Sheriff’s Office would be able to hire a part-time position for the courthouse. Related story: $10 fee expected for civil filings to improve security concerns at courthouse

In other action:

– approved the June 15 and 24 meetings 2-0 (Mike Pearson and Monty Piearcy) with Goodman abstaining.

– Pearson and Piearcy approved the renewing interlocal agreement with Circuit Engineering District (CED) #5 for fiscal year 2015-16. Goodman casted the lone no vote.

– Pearson and Piearcy voted Pieracy as the official board member for CED #5 and Pearson as the first alternative and Goodman the second alternative. Goodman abstained from the vote.

– Pearson and Piearcy approved the sale of a 1999 Chevy Tahoe to the Town of Coyle owned by the Coyle Fire Dept. Goodman abstained from the vote.

– Pearson and Piearcy approved professional services agreement between Logan County Health Dept. and Ana A. Ocampo to provide interpreter services for the upcoming fiscal year. Goodman abstained from the vote.

The following agenda items were unanimously approved:

– Final approval of the final plat of Kapalua Crossing at the intersection of Kelly and Simpson. The area will calls for 17 lots inside the Edmond school district.

– Agreed on adding surfacing projects (Kelly, Santa Fe and Bryant) to the County Bridge and Road Improvement list and the invoices for the projects ($25,500).

– Approved the Mehlburger Brawely invoices to be submitted to the Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation.

– Established a participation in the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma (ACOO) Self Insured Group and election of payment for fiscal year 2015-16.

– Renewed lease purchase agreements for seven units with Warren Power and Machinery for Dist. 3.

– Renewed lease purchase agreements for five units with Warren Power and Machinery for Dist. 1.

– Renewed lease agreement with ODOT for two units in Dist. 1

– Renewed lease purchase agreements between F&M Bank and Guthrie Fire Department for three units.

– Approved the donation of a Galaxy light bar from the Sheriff’s Office to the Guthrie Police Department.

– Approved the donation of a 2002 F-150 owned by the Sheriff’s Office to the Guthrie Police Department.

– Renewed maintenance agreement with STC Business World for copier maintenance for Dist. 3.

– Approved maintenance agreement with Summit Business Systems for copiers, ODIS software agreement with Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations, VistaCom for Eventide Server and LeadsOnline SelectSearch Investigation System for the Sheriff’s Office.

– Approved agreement with Pitney Bowers for posting machine and software license agreement with LandMarkGSI for the Assessor’s Office.

– Approved Juvenile Detention Services agreements.

– Approved a county-wide auction on Sept. 19.

– Accepted the resignation from Brad Firard from the Cashion 522 EMS Board.

– Acknowledged tort claims from Richard P. Wallace and Timothy W. Ready and forwarded to the ACCO county claims.

– Approved permanent road closing permits and temporary road crossing permits.

– Open sealed bids and tabled until further action on the following: rock, asphalt, ballot printing and petroleum products.

– Rejected a seal bid for bridge boards.

– Approved resolutions appointing Receiving and Requisitioning Officers for various accounts.

– Approved consent agenda.

– Approved payment of claims for June 2015.