During the Jackson County Commissioners' regular meeting Monday, the commissioners gave these reports: Commissioner Anthony Fixico has been visiting with the legislature, familiarizing himself with the language on related bills. Commissioner Dale Dunn doesn't have a date on the ribbon cutting for the Martha Bridge yet. He's waiting on Senator Inhofe's office. Commissioner Cary Carrell said he first went over the new bridge recently and that county employees did a good job on the bridge. He also said M&M Wrecking is starting on the old jail demolition project. There is a "tree of remembrance" that is planted near the old jail. This tree was planted in honor of those killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. As demolition is being done, the M&M crew has been asked to use extreme care not to damage the tree. The demolition will take two weeks or longer to complete. The fencing will be changed in the parking lot to allow people to make a U-turn to be able to get back out of the lot.

There was one blanket purchase order to be approved for District 3 for supplies.

Bids were opened for road and bridge materials and for tires and herbicides. These bids were taken under advisement and will be reviewed by the commissioners at a future meeting.

Bids were opened for the Jackson County Rural Fire Association. These facilities include: Eldorado, Duke, Warren and Blair. S. Plains called to say they're not bidding. G&G Electronics submitted an incomplete bid. One-Link Wireless of OKC submitted a bid for $47,293.50. Lawton Communications submitted a bid for approximately $35,000. The reason their bid was not exact, was the bid process asks for a price per foot and the exact measurements have yet to be determined. After some figuring, it was determined that the total price came to approximately $34,469. The commissioners rounded it to the $35,000. Upon recommendations of Dwight Dennis, with the City of Altus, and J.R. Wheeler, Altus City Fire Chief, the commissioners approved Lawton Communications as the provider for this service.

Four vendors were approved for the Optech Ballot Cards for the Election Board.

Anthony Fixico wishes to remain a member on the SWODA Board. This was approved.

Supplemental appropriations for November were approved.

Vineyard Farms wanted to install a drain line in a ditch in District 2. This was approved.

A transfer of funds from the R3C1 Capital Improvement Fund of $10,804,74 to the County Audit Budget account will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.

The commissioners discussed insurance information provided by Nub Smith. Questions had been raised per the future rise in office visits and deductibles for Health Choice. Smith said Blue Cross-Blue Shield will experience similar increases in 2010. In addition BCBS will cost more per month than Health Choice. The County will stick with Health Choice for this year.

There was no new business.

In the public participation phase, Dan McMahan presented information to the commissioners on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This stimulus packet, the ARRA, makes private and public Recovery Zone Bonds available to certain geographic areas considered to be recovery zones. The Economic Development Bonds could be applied to improving public facilities and infrastructure. The total amount of those bonds is $1.77 million. The Facility Bonds could be spent on private activities for industrial development or rehabilitating old buildings. That total is $1.6 million. The ARRA bonds must be issued before Dec. 31, 2010, to be spent within a 3-year period, and allocated by the end of March 2010. Funds that are not allocated by then will be redistributed to other entities. McMahan requested that the commissioners approve a resolution to designate Jackson County as a recovery zone in order to qualify for the application process. The ARRA resolution given to Commissioner Cary Carrell was routed to the District Attorney's office for examination. McMahan's proposal will be considered at the next commissioners' meeting, or when the DA's office is through with its consideration.

There were no vendor participation items, and all claims were approved.