DA ADDRESSES COUNTY'S PROPOSED DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY

District Attorney Gene Christian was on hand for Monday's meeting of the
Grady County Commissioners.

Christian appeared before the board to address concerns he had in the
proposed county alcohol and drug policy.

He advised the board that the current wording of the proposed policy tied
the county's hands in the criminal prosecution of employees suspected of
possession of drugs or alcohol in the workplace.

The document required obtaining permission from an elected official before
an employee was allowed to be questioned about suspected activity.

County Safety Director Terry Beard said that the wording could be changed
to better accommodate the DA's Office.

Christian suggested amending the document to exclude such permission in the
course of criminal investigations and proceedings.

"I just don't want somebody saying they don't have to talk to me because of
a policy," Christian said.

Christian also asked if it was the board's intention to establish a drug
and alcohol rehabilitation program. Beard said that the wording of the
document would be changed to clarify that the employee would be attending
such a program at his or her own expense, and that the program would not be
administered by the county.

Christian returned to the meeting later at the request of the commissioners
to advise them about an agenda item sent from Caddo County. District No. 3
Commissioner Jack Porter said that Caddo wanted Grady County to call for an
election in the school districts that overlap between the two counties
because they are attempting to set up an Southern EMS District. Christian
advised that the board find out specifically what is supposed to be on the
resolution, because the board does not want to set up a system where Caddo
County would be taxing Grady County citizen for EMS.

The commissioners tabled bids on a new broom for District No. 1, but did
request bids for a used Crown Victoria for the Sheriff's Office.

Rural Water District No. 5 was permitted to run a water line on the county
right of way.

The Commissioner also approved both a payment to their attorney's in the
case of Edna Welch vs. Grady County, and a contract modification for
contract between the county and the SAC and Fox Nation Regional Juvenile
Detention Center.

No action was taken on county bridge inspection contracts.