Subscribe To Commissioner Pearson's Update
In an effort to communicate with the people of District 2, Commissioner Pearson sends out updates about issues in the District. If you would like to receive this update please submit your name and email.
100 Day Plan
Report A Problem
Commissioner Pearson
In The News . . .
Wed, 22 Apr 2009
The same morning he was sworn into office, Commissioner Pearson conducted interviews with all of the district’s employees and put together a smaller, more cost-effective work force which utilizes employees to their best capability. An initial workforce of fourteen employees has been reduced to eleven. This has allowed more money to be utilized in the district’s maintenance and operation’s fund which goes toward road improvements and equipment. One employee has been trained and deputized by the Sheriff’s department to supervise county inmates who assist with road maintenance. Other employees have been sent to classes for training in such things as County Purchasing Procedures, Aggregate Road Maintenance, Reading and Interpreting Plans for Road and Bridge Construction, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Regulations and Investigations, Pipeline Safety and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Overall, less money is spent on payroll and more work is being accomplished in a more professional manner.
Since safety of workers is a high priority, Dale Freck, Safety Director with the Oklahoma Association of County Commissioners, (ACCO) and David Ball, the Emergency Management Director for Logan County, were invited to tour the District 2 shop and offer suggestions on how to implement and enhance safety standards.
In the spirit of transparency in government, Commissioner Pearson established a website to inform citizens of how their tax monies are being handled. The website also allows citizens to fill out a “Work Order” for repair on roads and bridges and to sign up for e-mail updates which notify residents of where major road work is underway.
Also in the interest of transparency, on March 31, 2009, Commissioner Pearson proposed a resolution to record all Logan County Commissioners' meetings for broadcasting on the City of Guthrie Government Access Channel. Approval of the resolution is pending before the commission in order to allow time to determine associated costs.
Early on, equipment which had been inoperable was repaired and placed back in operation and some hazardous, high-use roads, which had been untouched for months, were graded and graveled. The construction on a new bridge on County Road 75, one-half mile east of Luther Road, was accelerated. It opened to traffic on Feb. 2. Commissioner Pearson halted work on a bridge on Browne Ave., east of Midwest Blvd., until the construction could be brought into compliance with FEMA regulations. This bridge was finished correctly and opened to traffic Feb. 13. The construction of more bridges has also begun.
One cost-saving innovation which has been implemented is the use of shale from Kingfisher to fill potholes during winter months. Traditionally “cold asphalt” is used, which has been running $87.00 per ton. “Cold asphalt” does not seem to fill the potholes well once the weather warms up. Shale costs 55 cents per ton and in large potholes, compacts to a rock solid filler. Once the weather is warm, potholes can be filled with hot mix asphalt.
In past years, District 2 had been cited by the State Auditor’s office for failing to maintain a running total of consumable assets. New procedures to correct this problem were quickly studied and implemented. As of Jan. 1, 2009, District 2 is in compliance with State Auditor regulations.
The lack of funding is of course one of the greatest challenges in providing good roads and bridges. When Commissioner Pearson took office in January 2009, District 2 was receiving 31.7% of the Highway Funds distributed to the county by the state. The percentage which each of the three Logan County Districts receive is determined by the county's three commissioners. Historically each district in Logan County has received one-third of the funds, as do approximately 68 of the 77 counties in Oklahoma. However, in November of 2003, the Logan County Commissioners voted to redivide the funds, giving District 2 less than the one-third. On Jan. 20, 2009, Commissioner Pearson introduced a resolution and argued to return to an equal division. The resolution passed by a 2-1 vote.
The cost of maintaining and improving road infrastructure has significantly increased in the last several years due to population growth in the south part of the county. Since Highway Funds have not increased, this has made it impossible to keep up with the growth. While property tax revenue has increased, none goes towards roads. On March 31, Commissioner Pearson introduced a resolution requesting the Excise Board to dedicate a percentage of all new property tax to be placed in a County Highway Fund. The resolution passed unanimously. Further study is being done on the mechanics of this resolution, so that it can be properly implemented.
Commissioner Pearson has also obtained a list of county assets and is studying it to determine if there are potential funding sources which could be used as an endowment, the interest of which could be dedicated to roads and bridges.
In Jan. 2009, District 2 was made aware of the availability of $20,000 through the Solid Waste Program administered by the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma (ACCO). This funding can be used toward purchasing a wood chipper. The money was applied for and secured. A Vermeer wood chipper was purchased at a total price of $27,968.82. This will be a great asset in clearing trees from right of way to open up roadways and allow them to dry faster after rain or snowfall.
Circuit Engineering Division #5, (CED)of which Logan County is a member, has accrued monies which have become available for division among its member counties. Commissioner Pearson has applied for, and will be receiving $19, 047.66 of these funds, which will be added to $29,620.57 of a REAP grant and applied to resurfacing Triplett Rd. from Pine St. to Division St.
District 2 is currently conducting average daily traffic counts (ADT) in reassessing which roads should be designated as traffic “collector roads.” Designating the right roads as collectors will help in securing federal funds to improve them.
Although it has been a busy 100 days, Commissioner Pearson often tells constituents, “I have always liked to troubleshoot problems.” He also tells constituents how much he appreciates them being his eyes and ears and letting him know of problems needing addressed in his district. Commissioner Pearson is available at 282-3405 or through the District 2 website at commissiondistrict2.com or logancountyok.com.