The Mayes County Commissioners opened bids on a new roof for the county Jail Monday.

The board looked into installing a new roof using Carlisle material, which must be installed according to Carlisle specifications. They received two bids on the Carlisle material. The low bid was from Coates Roofing out of Seminole for $146,780, while Atwell Roofing of Tulsa bid $147,910. A third bid of $123,500 came from Ample Roofing of Tulsa, a company providing its own membrane and furnishing all materials. The commissioners will reach a decision next Monday.

Michael Dunham, Mayes County Emergency Management Assistant Director, proposed that the month of April be declared McReady Oklahoma Family Preparedness Month. McDonald’s restaurants across the state have teamed up with numerous organizations including the American Red Cross, the National Weather Service and the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security to form 2008 McReady Oklahoma. The proposition recognizes that fewer people are injured or killed when citizens are prepared for adverse weather conditions.

“The emphasis is on tornado readiness,” said Dunham. Though tornadoes can occur any time of the year, the danger of such weather conditions is higher in the months of April, May, and June when warmer winds clash with cold fronts. The commissioners approved the proposal.

Funds received for T County Highway totaled $310,628.25. District 1 received $258,453, and $52,175.25 went to District 3. Funds for District 2 have not yet arrived.

Johnny Janzen, Mayes County Emergency Management Director, gave figures on storm damage in 2007. Mayes County was the third highest in the state in storm damage costs last year. The costs on five declared disasters came to a total of $2,996,240. After financial help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the county was responsible for $374,530 of those damages.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Approved an Independent Contract for the Health Department.

• Approved Federal Emergency Management Agency Community Partner Memorandum of Agreement.

• Approved easement for Brushy Creek Bridge Project from the Corps of Engineers.

• Approved resolution declaring a priority project for the 6th County Improvements for Roads and Bridges program year.

• Approved resolution to amend Five Year Plan.

• Approved claim for payment of equipment through Revolving Fund.

• Proceeded with certificates for Rural Economic Action Plan Grants awarded to Districts 1 and 2 and Strang Fire Department.