District 3 County Commissioner Dan Artussee was elected to become a new board member for the Ambulance Authority during Monday’s regular meeting. Artussee replaces long-time member and commissioner Ron Ballard who retired recently.

A Resolution to disburse ARPA Funds for county roads and bridges was approved also. The money will be divided as provided by Resolution #22-36. Percentage wise, the funds (36.77%) would be distributed with District 1 receiving $330,973.81, District 2 would get $267,609.39 and District 3, $301,416.80.

Discussion was held on two contracts for proposed work on the county courthouse.

The first was concerning how payments (monthly) would be made to Garland/DBS Inc., for the upcoming roof replacement.

“Somehow, somebody is going to have to talk with someone about how we are going to pay them anything,” Attorney Pat Moore said.

“I don’t think we pay them anything except what they use on a monthly basis,” Assistant District Attorney Greg Stidham said, adding, “they should bill us for materials and labor monthly, and we pay them on the contract for that…” Commissioner David Walker concurred with the opinion, saying that “payment shouldn’t be made until they do the work.”

The board also discussed the draft version of the Trane Turkey Agreement between Trane U.S. Inc. and the Board of County Commissioners and provided their feedback.

Some of the contract changes included proprietary and tax credit information being deleted and an amendment to how long the county has to pay once an invoice has been submitted. There were also questions about the insurance and warranty.

Moore stated that someone from Trane would need to answer those questions. Commissioner Walker stated he would get in touch with the company’s representative and set up a meeting to discuss the proposed contract.

Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Tim Craighton gave a big thank you to the various fire departments who assisted over the weekend with a fire near Twin Hills.

“Six of them were on the fire at Twin Hills on Saturday, two task forces from Wagoner and Muskogee, who helped get that one under control,” he said. There were no homes lost in the fire.

The burn ban is still in effect for Okmulgee County, however, if the area receives considerable rain amounts, that decision could be revisited by the commissioners.

Agenda items approved were:

• Blanket Purchase Orders: General to ComData for fuel for Okmulgee County Emergency Management for $1,000 and District 1 to S&H Auto for parts and supplies as needed for $1,000.

• Invitation to Bid #4 for road materials for a six-month period.

• Invitation to Bid #5 for an addition to Preston Rural Fire Department.

• Resolution to pay Light ‘em Up out of Covid Aid and Relief Fund. (Lighting for the Emergency Management vehicle).

• Resolution to use ARPA funds for reimbursement for postage for $28.45.

Okmulgee Area Development Corporation Director Court Newkirk extended an invitation to the commissioners to the groundbreaking event that was held Thursday at the Okmulgee Business Complex. The groundbreaking was at 10 a.m. on the north end of the Okmulgee Business Complex just off of Fairgrounds Road and about a quarter of a mile west of Hwy. 75. Regional Director (District 6) of the US Economic Development Administration Jorge Ayala was the keynote speaker for the ceremony.

The OADC was recently awarded a $2.1 million Economic Development Grant to finish the construction of the infrastructure in the industrial park. This will include the industrial park interior road, water and sewer lines, stormwater channels and detention system. This construction project, slated to take 18-24 months, will make the OBC ready for the construction of several new industries.

Also in attendance were representatives from The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Phillips 66.

During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Mickey Baldwin addressed the commissioners about the lack of posted speed limit signs on portions of Gun Club and Celia Berryhill Road. In some areas, residents stated that while road work was taking place, the signs were removed, but not reinstalled.

County Commissioner Walker asked that the information be sent to him and he would look into it.