LAWTON – Comanche County commissioners are considering hiring a f ull-time grant writer.
The commissioners discussed the possibility of creating the position at their July 1 meeting b ut did not take action. Interim Commissioner Trent Logan, who proposed the idea, said he would draw up a possible scope of work for the position, research the cost of hiring a gr ant writer and study the possibility of f inding an independent contractor to do the work.
Logan, who was appointed to f ill the District 1 seat on the commission after former Commissioner John O’Brien resigned, said he wanted to start exploring the possibili ty of hiring someone to help write grants for the county.
“I think it ’s going to be a time-consuming process trying to find the exact right person for the job,” he said. “Even if my time here is short, I’d like to get the ball rolling.”
Logan is serving as the District 1 com missioner until the Aug. 27 GOP primary election, when voters will choose someone to finish O’Brien’s unexpired term. Six candidates, including Logan, are competing for the position.
Commission Chairman Josh Powers said he supported the idea of hiring a grant writer, but he said that Logan or his staff would have to find someone who could do the job. He added that his con stituents have asked him to consider add ing a grant writer to the county staff.
“The idea is great,” Powers said. “In my office, I send some body to grant-writing workshops on a regular basis. But the problem is with their daily job, they just don’t have time.”
Commissioner Johnny Owens also weighed in. He said he knew some people who specialized in grant writing, but they did not want to be county employees.
“So, just keep that in mind,” Owens said.