But the commissioners said they don't have money to hold a special election, which spokesman Ed Barton requested. They suggested the special election be held at the same time as the next primary election in July to save on election costs.
Barton, president of the Sequoyah County Volunteer Firefighters Association, told the commissioners he didn't think the fire departments could wait that long.
Barton said, "We just want to have an election, and have the county pay for it."
Barton explained the volunteer fire departments throughout the county have used all their money to fight the wildfires sparked by the continuing drought.
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry reports a burn ban remains in effect throughout the state in spite of the freezing rain and snow which fell Saturday. Sequoyah County and the surrounding area are at least 12 inches behind in precipitation since November, the department reports.
Barton said, "Many firefighters are paying for fuel (to drive to wildfires) out of their own pockets."
Barton said, "Some of these fire departments might go under. They are out of equipment or have broke equipment. They have helped fire departments in other counties, and they would do the same for us."
District 1 Commissioner Bruce Tabor said, "I know you guys need it," but he added that the county was also low on funds. He suggested the firefighters have the proposal put to county voters during the primary election on July 25.
"We'd really rather have a special election as soon as possible," Barton said.
Tabor said elections cost about $8,000 and the county is "pretty well strapped.'
"If we come up with the money ourselves, how soon can we have an election?" Barton asked.
Tabor said special elections can usually be called within 60 to 90 days, and he suggested Barton visit with Kathy Webb, election board secretary. He said the resolution calling for an election and the wording of the proposal on the ballot should be reviewed by Webb.
Barton said he would visit with the volunteer firefighters association next Monday and ask if the fire departments wish to go ahead with paying for the election or want to wait until the July 25 primary election.
He said, "We had 14 out of 21 (volunteer fire departments in the county) at a recent meeting and they approve of a quarter-cent sales tax. For instance, if you pay $100 for something, only 25 cents will go to the fire departments. I don't think that's too much for a fire department."
Barton said later he learned that a special election would cost about $14,000. "We're going to try to do it," Barton said. "Something's got to be done or I'm afraid we're going to lose fire departments in Sequoyah County."
Barton said the association would accept donations to pay for the election.
The county's volunteer fire departments are supported by donations, most recently from the Cherokee Nation; grants and money from the state legislature, which are usually dispersed by the Eastern Oklahoma Development District in Muskogee; fundraisers; and memberships, which can be paid annually or monthly through Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative. The co-op, if the customer wishes, will list monthly fire department dues payments on their monthly electric statement, will collect the dues and distribute them to the correct volunteer fire departments.
Tony Yates, OSU extension agent, reported that an OSU study on ambulance service in the county would be delivered on March 6.
The commissioners approved allocating $70,230.34 to pay for the McCoy Cemetery Bridge project. The new bridge is on the west side of Jackson Mountain, northwest of Marble City. District 2 Commissioner Steve Carter said the new bridge "was built 100 percent by county employees. They did a great job." He said the state will reimburse the county for the materials.
The commissioners also accepted the resignation of County Treasurer Martha Taylor, who is retiring. Taylor's first deputy, Tricia Yates, was appointed to fill Taylor's post until the end of Taylor's term this year.
An open house honoring Taylor will be held from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday at her office in the county courthouse.
Tabor also declared three pieces of equipment as surplus. He explained that as surplus, the equipment can be sold at a statewide auction planned March 1 in McAlester. Tabor will be selling a 1977 three-quarter ton Dodge pickup truck, a tractor with mower, and a 25-ton lowboy trailer.
