At their 10 a.m., March 15 meeting, the commissioners approved the minutes of the regular March 8 and the special meeting March 12. There were no reports.

During the officers' reports, County Clerk Christi Hair asked for input on the updated Personnel Policy.

Commissioner Dale Dunn said that the 6 Jackson County bridges in the ODOT study should be put back on the 5-year plan.

The commissioners approved 1 blanket purchase order from the Health Department.

Three members were added to the Jackson County Fair Board: Lee Vier, Pam Booker and Shelly Hurst. They were appointed and approved by the commissioners.

Spring cleaning of the County Courthouse continued with Resolution 2010-09, approving the disposal of old equipment from the County Election Board.

The commissioners also approved transferring $50,000 from the Contract Prisoners M&O account to the Contract Prisoners Capitol Outlay account to purchase two new vehicles for the Sheriff's Office.

Earlier in the month, Susan Walker was approved as Receiving Officer for the Election Office. This has been changed, with Natalie Millard now approved as Receiving Officer, and deleting Walker.

Resolution 2010-10 was approved by the commissioners regarding the monthly highway expenditures for the month of March, which came to $506,569.79.

Location, location, location. That's what helps give Oklahoma its exciting, ever-changing weather. It's also caused our state to receive 17 presidential disaster declarations in the last 3 years, according to Jackson County Emergency Manager, Jerry Gibson. For that reason the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management has declared March 21- 27 as Oklahoma Emergency Management Week. Gibson read a declaration to the county commissioners, which is signed by Chairman Anthony Fixico, declaring Emergency Management week in Jackson County. Gibson and City of Altus Emergency Manager Lloyd Colston have released a detailed press release regarding this special week. A meeting at the state capitol will be held 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 23 with updates regarding our state's emergency management.

In new business, County Treasurer, Janet Wright asked if the commissioners had considered increasing the bond for the Treasurer's Office and the commissioners, from the current $50,000 to $100,000. That increase in the coverage would raise the insurance from $408 to $565 if approved. Dunn will find out how much of the amount covers the commissioners.

There was no public participation.

In the vendor participation, an independent financial advisor, Dan Hensley came to address the board on the issue of supplemental retirement plans for county employees. Hensley explained about 457B plans, which are the pre-tax equivalent for 401Ks for government employees. In the course of the discussion and question and answer session, it became apparent that the county has one, or possibly two of these types of plans already. The commissioners will consider asking Hensley to investigate the plan(s), at no cost or obligation to the board or the county.

The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.