Burn ban remains, despite rain

By KEN MILAM

The showers that fell across LeFlore County over the weekend weren’t enough to justify lifting the outdoor burning ban.

County commissioners on Monday agreed to leave the ban in place until dry windy conditions ease.

Emergency Management Director Dennis Yochum said less than a half-inch of rain fell in Poteau and amounts varied across the county. “I don’t think it would be wise to remove it,” Yochum said.

A bid to sell a pumper truck to the Wister Fire Department was tabled so it could be studied and reconsidered at next week’s meeting. The sole bidder was Banner Fire Equipment of Chickasha. The base bid was for $139,581. An alternate bid of $400,000 included a seven-year maintenance agreement.

A resolution approving longevity pay for county employees was approved based on the employees’’ service and contingent on no interruptions lasting more than 30 days, plus participation in the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.

Commissioners approved a contract with Wells, Wann and Co CPA, PC for consulting and investing services regarding the American Rescue Plan Act Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund, totaling $2,038,726.

The board accepted a bid of $2,324 from Thomas Lowe to purchase a small plot of unused land on North Columbus in Spiro.

A resolution was passed stipulating that $18,000 previously budgeted for the county fairgrounds be spent only on the fair barn and not on the rodeo arena.

Get more with our daily newsletter. Subscribe for only $5 per month or try it free for a week.