The decision to store some sporting equipment came only after commissioners learned exactly what would be stored and how.

ARDMORE – The Carter County Commission approved a request to temporarily store equipment for a county 4-H program as the OSU Extension Office works to hire a new education officer. The decision was only made after a discussion between all commissioners to ensure the safety of shooting sports items.

Monday’s meeting of the Carter County Commission lasted about 30 minutes and saw all three commissioners in attendance. Danielle Wells with the Carter County OSU Extension Office was in attendance along with about four other people.

Commissioners asked several questions about the safety of storing potentially dangerous equipment on county property, and Wells said no ammunition would be stored and that items would be safely packaged.

She told commissioners that two rooms at her office were recently cleaned and that the shooting sports items are currently stored in a trailer on private property until a new education officer can decide what to do with them. She worries the current location may not provide proper protection from weather and elements.

“We don’t have a shooting sports team right now, so it’s not like they would be going in and out with them,” Wells told commissioners. “I could just lock them in the old office until we get a new educator, and then that person can figure out what they want to do with them.”

Commissioners were told only air rifles, air pistols, and compound bows would be stored, not ammunition or arrows. Commissioners approved to store the items at an undisclosed location in discreet and secure packaging for safety.

Wells said that interviews for a new education officer are already underway.

In other business, the commission approved:

• Approved road crossing permits for Valero Partners Wynnewood (District 1), Select Energy Services (District 2), and a bore-only permit for Enerfin Gathering (District 2);
• approved disposing of equipment from District 1;
• approved receiving officers for OSU Extension;
• declared the week of May 1 through May 7, 2022, as Carter County Oklahoma Home and Community Education Week;
• approved advertising for six-month bids, county officer reports, requisitions, and purchase orders.