ARDMORE, Okla. (KTEN) — Among several items on the agenda for Monday's Ardmore City Commission meeting, leaders discussed the selection of an engineer for infrastructure oversight, as well as a contract with Ardmore City Schools.

Commissioners have received a request to approve the appointment of an engineer from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to oversee bridge inspections between April 2024 and March 2026.

"It's about every five years," said City Manager Kevin Boatright. "Our city engineer, Josh Randell, would work with whoever is selected by ODOT as he or she comes around and looks at every bridge, and address whatever the deficiency might be."

Another item that's been in the works for a year-and-a-half is finally ready to be completed.

A contract has been submitted between the City of Ardmore and Ardmore City Schools for Ardmore police to provide a school resource officer.

"At least one officer to the school district for a school resource officer," explained Assistant City Manager and acting police chief Kevin Norris. "The contract does allow for more, but currently the police department is short-staffed."

Prior to the 2022 school year, Ardmore City Schools had considered the idea of starting a campus police department.

"I mean, I was within about two weeks of starting our own department," said ACS Assistant Superintendent Andy Davis. "Some things with our [memorandum of understanding] didn't go our way, but at the end of the day, an SRO program like we're currently talking about is a much, much better option."

The City of Ardmore and Ardmore City Schools will jointly fund the salary of the resource officer.