In their final meeting of the month, County Emergency Management Director, Jerry Gibson, told the county commissioners that Jackson County and the City of Altus have now submitted their protests to FEMA for the new flood plain maps. The protests were due by March 1. Gibson said he and Gary Brickley of Fox and Drechsler worked to gather survey data to compare the old and new flood plain assessments. In addition, Brickley examined 30 year-old data that FEMA has been using to come up with these new faulty maps. Now FEMA has 90 days to react to the protest.

Gerald Sherrill, county assessor, said there are various companies that perform aerial surveys. The city and county may go in on together on this aerial assessment to help defray costs. Sherrill said the Chair of the Altus Economic Development Commission, David Braddock, is still looking for funding for the aerial assessment. Gibson said the county has dodged the bullet for now, but it will return.

The commissioners met Friday, Feb. 26. The minutes of the Feb. 22 meeting were approved and 4 reports were also approved with a minor correction.

During the officers' reports, Janet Wright and Gerald Sherrill said they cleaned out surplus items from the vault. Sherrill received permission from Sherry Hubert to dispose of some very old records.

Commissioner Dale Dunn said that the engineer from the courthouse's insurance company had come to inspect the building. Dunn stated he has not heard back fro the engineer on the matter. Gibson, said that if the damage to the courthouse is not covered by the insurance, the can be included in the list for FEMA. Dunn also said that there may be possible changes in the county Workmen's Comp program. These changes may occur based on new legislation and company changes in insurers. Dunn also mentioned that interview sheets are being sent to various county employees for the Altus Times Progress Edition.

The commissioners approved several blanket purchase orders and the list of surplus items submitted by Wright for the County Treasurer's Office.

In new business, Dunn said that REAP, the economic resource for most of the rural fire departments has been eliminated, at this point, from the Oklahoma State budget.

There was no public or vendor participation section. All claims were approved.