In a 4-0 vote, David Houser took the interim tag off his title to become the new Ardmore Police Chief.
Houser, who has held the position on an interim basis for the last eight months, was approved for the position during the city commission meeting Monday evening. The commission voted on Houser following the recommendation by City Manager Kevin Boatright.
Prior to the vote, Boatright said Houser has demonstrated leadership skills that have resulted in positive outcomes and described him as a man with unwavering integrity with a plan on how to keep the department moving forward.
Houser thanked the commission for its faith in him after taking the oath of office. He said some of the plans have already been put in place as the department utilizes technology to solve crime. Houser said it makes the department more efficient and effective.
Earlier in the meeting, the commission approved the purchase of 14 Daniel Defense Semi-Automatic Rifles with optics, magnifiers, mounts and suppressors for the APD Swat Team in the amount of $55,036.10. The purchase is being made through the drug enforcement fund.
Houser said the National Tactical Officers Association has recommended teams move away from automatic rifles or select fire rifles and move to semi-automatic rifles. Houser also credited city employee Travis Shields for saving the city $2,000 in identifying the vendor.
The commission also approved a social media services contract with Bosham Media Limited Liability Company at a monthly rate of $4,165 until a media production IT specialist position can be filled.
Chief Information Officer Rob Newell said the city has worked with Bosham for three years. Prior to that, the city was managing its social media haphazardly. He also said the city may have been asking too much in seeking to combine the position of IT specialist and media production.
The contract with Bosham is month-to-month.
The commission also approved a resolution to apply for and accept a grant for the tower at the Ardmore Municipal Airport in an amount not to exceed $500,000. A memorandum of understanding between the city and Ardmore Development Authority was later approved in the meeting.
There was also an agreement approved between the city and H.W. Lochner Incorporated for engineering design and construction oversight on the tower and a rotating beacon remote controller project in the amount of $183,000.
