Circuit Engineering Districts

Title 69 § 687.1
In 1992, Circuit Engineering Districts (CED) were provided by law.  The law allows counties to come together as a cooperative and provide efficiencies that are not available to an individual county.  The Districts act as political sub-divisions of the State managed by the counties they represent.  The Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma (ACCO) hired staff to implement the program with funding provided through the State Auditor and Inspector's office.  Today the Oklahoma Cooperative Circuit Engineering Districts Board (OCCEDB) and the CEDs are funded through state, federal and county funds.

The state is divided into eight geographical areas (districts) where each county designates one County Commissioner or representative to serve on the CED board on behalf of the county.

Objectives

"To allow county governments to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate with each other and other units of government on a basis of mutual advantage and thereby to provide services and facilities in a manner and pursuant to forms of governmental organization that will accord best with geographic, economic, population and other factors influencing the needs and development of county government."
  • Provide efficiency through the pooling of resources.
  • Provide research.
  • Provide assistance with such functions as road maintenance, construction, inspection, and equipment.
  • Conduct public discussion groups, panels, and lectures.
  • Provide courses of education and instruction.
  • Obtain and develop types of information relative to the operation of the transportation system.
  • Provide short and long range planning within the district and with other districts.
  • Provide services to counties that will improve the quality of the transportation system and be cost effective.

Authority​

  • Comply with and carry out provisions of Interlocal Cooperation Act.
  • Contract for services with persons, firms or units of government to carry out functions.
  • Acquire and hold property.
  • Receive contributions/donations. 
  • Assess members for services rendered.
  • To administer grants from counties, State, federal government, or any other source.
  • To prepare and publish studies/research. 

How CEDs Are Governed​

A CED is a statutory board enacted in 1992 and is deemed a political subdivision of the state.  Eight distinct areas/boards serve the counties within the state.  A County Commissioner or designate determined by the Board of County Commissioners within the district serve as members of the CED Board of Directors.  The CED Board appoints/hires an Executive Director, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization.  The CED board members elect three officers; President, Vice President, and Secretary/Treasurer to serve a one-year term.  CEDs usually conduct monthly meetings around the state that comply with the Open Meeting Act.

Responsibility

A primary responsibility of a CED is partnering with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in developing and managing the County Improvement for Roads and Bridges (CIRB) 5-year construction plan.  The Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC), which is a compilation of agency rules and executive orders, is filed and published by the Oklahoma Secretary of State. These rules, related to the CIRB program, define the responsibility/relationship between the Circuit Engineering Districts and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation under Title 730-Department of Transportation, Chapter 10-Department Programs, Subchapter 23-County Improvements for Roads and Bridges.  The CIRB program, funded with a portion of the state's Motor Vehicle Collection tax, operates by team effort between CEDs, Counties and ODOT.  Ultimately, this effort is for the betterment of the County Highway System and the citizens of Oklahoma.  The transportation of people, goods and services is a cornerstone of being a top-ten state in the nation.  

OAC 730:10-23 (Oklahoma Administrative Code for CIRB Program)
Code sections below state CEDs involvement
Project Eligibility and approval (Section 730:10-23-5)
​Request for funds (Section 730:10-23-6)
Project Selection (Section 730:10-23-7)
Programming of projects (Section 730:10-23-8)

Offices​

  • CED 1 - Board meetings held around different locations within its member counties.  Guy Engineering, CED 1 Program Manager, main office is located in Tulsa. 
  • CED 2 - Office is located in Muskogee. 
  • CED 3 - Office is located in Hugo.
  • CED 4 - Office is located in Shawnee.
  • CED 5 - Meeting location in the ACCO board room.
  • CED 6 - Meeting location in Duncan.
  • CED 7 - Office located in Clinton.
  • CED 8 - Office located in Alva.​