The county will ask for re-bids on election ballots since no bids were received. County Clerk Donna Jamison said some of the vendors were closed for the holidays and did not receive the bid announcements. The next election, which includes the state's primary elections, will be Feb. 5.
District 2 Commissioner Steve Carter noted that the December meeting will be his last as chairman of the board of county commissioners. The board will reorganize next month, and District 3 Commissioner Mike Huff is expected to be named board chairman.
SEQUOYAH COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY
The three county commissioners, Carter, Huff and District 1 Commissioner Bruce Tabor, along with Sheriff Johnny Philpot and Albert Marquez of Vian, serve on the county's criminal justice authority, which oversees jail operations.
While paying the bills, authority members noted the large amount of money owed to area pharmacies - about $32,000. Jail Administrator Christine Calbert said the majority of the drugs purchased for prisoners were for "mood stabilizing." She also noted that while incarcerated, prisoners' pharmaceuticals were paid for by the jail.
Tabor noted that a recent court decision determined that while persons are incarcerated, the county holding the prisoner is responsible for paying for their medicines.
Philpot also noted that, "You can try to get the money back, but you will go broke while trying to do that."
Calbert reported to the authority members that the jail had 105 prisoners as of Monday and one prisoner was being held in LeFlore County.
Authority members also approved the 2008 authority meeting dates, which are held every other Monday.
