County Assessor David Tinsley is asking for help in identifying properties that were damaged or destroyed in the county fires last week.

Anyone who had homes or other real property damaged or destroyed can call the assessor’s office at 366-0230 so the property can be reappraised for the county ad valorem taxes.

Commissioners struck a proposed burn ban from the agenda because of “the two inches of rain the area received last weekend.”

County Safety Director Dan Cary asked residents to use “due diligence.” County workers were dispatched to fire sites with water tankers so firefighters could fill their tanks.

“Numerous times we’ve been asked to supply water for the fire departments and we’re always glad to do it,” Commissioner George Skinner said.

Commissioners declared this week as National Telecommunicator Week in honor of the “men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our region’s citizens and emergency responders safe.”

Stimulus money will be available for improvements to Etowah Road from 108th Avenue SE to 180th Avenue SE, commissioners announced. Four miles of the road is in Cleveland County and two are in the Town of Slaughterville.

Jail numbers were up the week of March 31-April 7, Sheriff Joe Lester reported to commissioners. He reported an average of 238 prisoners with 247 April 6 and 7. Book-ins should a 26 percent increase from last year with 226 compared to 179 in 2008.

Other action taken by commissioners include:

• Bids for highway bridge materials, tires, tubes , road oils, emulsions and sealants for commissioners were tabled one more week at the request of Melinda Duke, county purchasing agent.

• An addendum was added to the contract between the county health department and Joyce Madden-Gibson for direct observed therapy because of the state travel reimbursement act.

• Renewed maintenance agreement between the sheriff's department and Travis Voice & Data for recorder equipment.

• Approved a water cooler and water contract for the sheriff’s department with National Water Company.

• Renewed a service agreement between the sheriff’s department and Network Alarm Services, inc. at the sheriff’s office storage facility at 114 S. Peters Ave.

• Approved March 2009 monthly reports from Rhonda Hall, court clerk; Shari Kinney Health department and Lester, sheriff service fees.