Commissioners select Goad as chairman

Bryan County Commissioners, during their first meeting of the new year on Monday morning, selected District No. 1 commissioner Scott Goad to be chairman of the commissioners.

Goad, who was not present for Monday’s meeting, was elected commissioner in November 2022 and sworn into office in January 2023.

Longtime District No. 2 Commissioner Tony Simmons was named vice chairman of the commissioners.

In other action, commissioners approved a contract with the Southern Oklahoma Development Association to apply for a Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) grant for District No. 3. District No. 3 commissioner Brandon Carr said the application is to purchase a road grader.

The REAP grant program was created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1996 to provide funding assistance for rural communities, according to the SODA website.

Each year, funds for REAP are allocated to SODA by the Oklahoma legislature. SODA receives and reviews applications and funds are awarded by the SODA Board of Directors. The directors include representatives of municipal and county governments, conservation districts, and minority populations.

SODA, which is headquartered in Durant, serves as the administrator for the grants.

Commissioners said a new roof is being put on the Bryan County Community Building and that project is ongoing and expected to be completed soon.

Commissioners also voted on the following agenda items: - Approved the Bennington Volunteer Fire Department to submit a sealed bid to sell their 2022 KME engine - Approved awarding sixmonth material bids, monthly reports, blanket purchase orders and purchase orders for payment