Cleveland County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting - March 2, 2026

The Cleveland County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on March 2, 2026, at 1:00 PM in Norman, Oklahoma. The board approved the consent agenda, addressed bids, a burn ban, and voted on key resolutions including a $50 million bond anticipation note for the arena project and funding for community safety services.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the February 23, 2026 minutes (unanimous).
• Approved blanket purchase orders, claims for payment, removal of Receiving Officer Jodi Roundtree from accounts, scrap metal contract with Rosenfelt Auctions, two tank leases with OLG for District #1, termination of lease with Del Nero Communications, Kofile project change request for redacting SSNs/DOBs, commercial services agreement with Cox Business, contract with Kelly Haggard for senior fitness classes, appropriations for January 16–February 15, 2026, Noble Farm Market Rules and Regulations, and Norman Public Schools MOU for emergency evacuation site at the fairgrounds. All items were approved in a single motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cynthia Rodgers (private citizen) spoke on Item 19, expressing concern that the agenda item for the arena project bond issuance improperly expanded to include “notes or other evidence of indebtedness” without proper notice, potentially violating the Open Meetings Act. She requested the item be removed and urged the board to support a public vote. Chairman McHughes responded that the agenda was prepared with legal counsel and the board is following proper legal procedures.

Discussion Items

• Item 15 – Elevator Replacement Bid #COM-2176: The only bid received was from American Elevator Company Inc. The board voted to accept the bid and postpone for a later date.
• Item 16 – County-wide Burn Ban: Motion made and seconded to strike the item from the agenda due to expected rain and improved humidity; fire chiefs were not in full agreement. Motion carried.
• Item 17 – Asphalt Contract Bid #HWY-2182 (3-month): Awarded to Haskell Lemon Group, LLC and Silver Star Construction Company Inc.
• Item 18 – Road Oils, Emulsions, and Sealants Bid #HWY-2186 (6-month): Awarded to Aragon Asphalt and Emulsions Inc., Coastal Energy Corp, and Vance Brothers LLC.
• Item 19 – Resolution for Arena Project Indebtedness: Authorized up to $50 million in bond anticipation notes (BANs) for the Cleveland County Arena Project, waiving competitive bidding. Passed with Commissioner Cleveland casting the only audible “Aye”; Commissioners McHughes and Grissom also voted yes.
• Item 20 – Private Cemetery Application (John Roberts): Received application and set public hearing for March 16, 2026 at 1:30 PM, directing publication in the Norman Transcript.
• Item 21 – Noble Farm Market MOU: Approved.
• Item 22 – Community Safety Investment Fund (SQ 781) Services: Approved proposed services including recovery housing, treatment services, mobile crisis expansion, and other support. Commissioner Cleveland noted that an RFP yielded strong proposals and approximately $1.5 million is available to fund these services.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes and consent agenda unanimously.
• Accepted elevator bid and postponed further action.
• Struck burn ban from agenda.
• Awarded asphalt and road oil contracts.
• Approved $50 million bond anticipation note resolution for arena (vote: 3–0).
• Set public hearing for private cemetery on March 16.
• Approved Noble Farm Market MOU.
• Approved funding allocation for community safety services (SQ 781).
• Meeting adjourned.