During its regular meeting Monday, the Custer County Board of Commissioners took no action on a proposal for the use of a small portion of American Rescue Plan Funds from Weatherford resident Jeff Berrong.
So far, Custer County has received $2.8 million of the $5.6 million allocated through the American Rescue Plan. These funds are required to be used on COVID-19 relief and mitigation efforts such as vaccination and personal protection equipment.
During last week’s meeting, Berrong suggested the county use a small portion of the ARP funds for a campaign encouraging Custer County residents to get vaccinated.
Berrong said he also spoke with some local health authorities this week who might be interested in serving on the committee if the proposal was approved.
“Dr. Randy Curry at SWOSU is very excited about it and has a number of good ideas which would set the proper tone,” Berrong said. “I also talked with the County Department of Health, and they think it could be a positive thing.”
Additionally, Berrong said he has spoken with Dr. Robert Blakeburn in Clinton as well as Dr. Blake Badgett and Dr. Brian Bluth in Weatherford.
District 1 Commissioner Wade Anders said he has received several calls regarding the proposal, and none have been in favor of it. District 2 Commissioner Bruce Walker and District 3 Commissioner Lyle Miller both reported similar experiences. All three commissioners also received emails from residents wanting to comment on the proposal.
Anders said one particular complaint he heard was from a resident who didn’t want sales tax money spent on something which already is being pushed. However, all three commissioners wanted to make it clear all funding for this proposal would come from the county’s American Rescue Plan money.
Anders also said people know the COVID-19 vaccine is available.
“I feel like there is a lot of information out there, and I don’t know if that is where the money needs to be spent,” Anders said.
“Everyone I have talked with said they feel like they have been beat over the head with this,” Walker said. “I had about 20- 25 people reach out to me, and not a single one said ‘This is a good deal. Let’s do it.’”
“I fully respect and appreciate your (Berrong’s) intent with this, but from my standpoint, I can’t support spending any money in that effort at this point,” Miller said. “Encourage people if you believe in it, and go get the shot if you want it.”
During the discussion, Sandy Settle – the Oklahoma State Department of Health local emergency response coordinator for Western Oklahoma – said he supported the idea of using the money for a campaign encouraging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
“There’s a huge group of the community who have made up their mind and dug in,” Settle said. “It has become an issue. However, I do believe there is a section of the public who is sitting on the fence.”
Settle also said he believes the best way for the COVID-19 pandemic to come to an end is for people to get vaccinated. He said the immunity from the vaccine is stronger and lasts longer than natural immunity from getting the virus.
According to OSDH data, Custer County has had 4,257 total COVID-19 cases since March 2020. As of August 11, Custer County has 89 active cases, which is up 76 cases from the previous month.
Settle said the COVID-19 cases are expected to go up even more this fall. He also said OSDH has more partners in the area who are giving the vaccine than this time last year.
“We have it, there’s a huge supply, but the real issue is convincing people to step up and get the vaccine,” Settle said.
The board said they will keep the proposal in mind as the situation with COVID-19 changes.
In other news, the board approved a resolution for COVID-19 protocols for courthouse employees.
County Clerk Melissa Graham said the courthouse officers recently gathered and created the guidelines using the existing Centers for Disease Control guidance. She also said they were careful to consider every situation while drafting the document.
The guidelines include procedures for exposure and positive COVID-19 cases. They are subject to change as needed.
The board also briefly discussed COVID-19 procedures for the courthouse. Currently, there are no guidelines and guests are not required to wear masks.
The public is asked to not enter the building if they have been exposed to COVID-19. Those who wish to wear masks are welcome.
District 3 Commissioner Miller said he is not ready to require masks in the courthouse again but would like to add the non-employee procedures back on the agenda for discussion as the situation changes.