Woods County Industrial Development Authority (WCIDA) held a special meeting Tuesday, Sept. 26. The regular meeting set for earlier in the month was rescheduled for this week. Bryce Benson, vice chair, presided. Other members present were Randy McMurphy and Stan Kline. Absent were Rick Cunningham and Richard Ryerson.

Financial reports were discussed and approved including a $4,250 pledge transfer to the Woods County Economic Development Committee.

The audit report showed no significant problems other than the lack of segregation of duties. Since WCIDA is such a small entity generally served by one staff member, the trustees have chosen to ignore this recommendation. The audit was accepted. In a separate action, the trustees voted to approve a contract with the same accounting firm for the same price for next year.

Economic Development Committee Director Sonja Williams reported that the Waynoka Incubator building is currently vacant. Centurion Artificial Lift moved into the building for one month but decided the move was premature. All their equipment has been removed.

Williams said WCIDA books show two months of rent unpaid on the building. Trust members agreed to leave that on the books until Centurion decides if they will move back into the facility.

Williams said the trustees may want to consider adjusting the rental rates for the building. “We’re there to help, not hold them back,” she said of incubator renters.

If the building is not occupied before cold weather begins, Williams will make sure the building is winterized and utilities shut off.

Trustees discussed an application for a grant of $9,000 from Northwest Family Services (NFS) in Alva. NFS continues to expand and needs to build three more office spaces. Since 2016 NFS has hired four new staff members, an increase of 40 percent. NFS owns their building and has space to add the three offices along the west side of the common work room.

The $9,000 request would also include solid doors to replace some hollow core ones and more insulation between offices to insure client privacy. After some discussion, the trustees voted to approve the request.

In final action, the WCIDA approved meeting dates for next year. The quarterly meetings are set for March 13, June 12, Sept. 11 and Dec. 11 at 8 m. at Northwest Technology.