The Jackson County Commissioners held their regular Monday meeting on Sept. 24, at 10 a.m.

It’s been five years since a trash truck ran into the old Martha Bridge, necessitating the rerouting of traffic for miles northwest of Altus. Sen. James Inhofe helped get funding, and Jackson County worked hard to get the new Martha Bridge completed. Over the years, Jackson County has been in negotiations over the case. District Attorney John Wampler was to meet Christopher Jinks Peet, the driver of the truck, and his company lawyer for IESI Corporation in district court on Oct. 2. At their Sept. 24 meeting, the commissioners went into Executive Session Monday for the purpose of discussing the pending litigation between Jackson County/Jackson County Board of Commissioners and Peet/IESI over damages to the old Martha Bridge. In open session, Commissioner Chair Marty Clinton recommended taking a settlement agreement for $130,000, and motioned to accept that settlement. It was approved and so ended a long saga of a trash truck versus an Oklahoma bridge.

The commissioners approved the minutes from last meeting on Monday, Sept. 17. There were no reports.

In Officers’ reports, County Clerk, Christi Hair said that the copies of the budgets were ready to sign and would go to the Excise Board on Thursday, then they’ll be sent to Oklahoma City.

There were no blanket purchase orders.

Resolution 2012-36 was approved to voice the County Commissioners’ support for Altus Air Force Base to be chosen as the Formal Training Unit (FTU), final basing decision for the KC-46A, aerial refueling aircraft.

The commissioners approved the Renewal of Membership with Air Evac Lifeteam for 2012-2013. This was $15 for each of the 52 County employees, plus a $100 administration fee, totaling $750.

The commissioners briefly discussed the possibility of taking over operations of the Jackson County Expo Center. They said they’d need to negotiate with the Finance Authority on the issue. Funding and liability are both to be considered. Some community support has been offered to help the County with the Expo Center. Commissioner Cary Carrell made a motion to have a joint meeting with the Finance Authority regarding the Expo Center and that meeting was approved.

Robin Booker was approved to act as Requisitioning Officer for the following accounts: all Highway Cash Fund accounts, CBRI 103 and CBRI 105.

There was no new business, and the claims were approved. The meeting adjourned at 10:38 a.m.