The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners approved a proposal which will help Beggs Schools now and even in the future.

Last week, Commissioner Robert Zoellner spoke on a proposal to use ARPA funds to assist in installation of a valve that will allow Beggs Schools to access a different water source in the event of a water outage in the city.

The district and residents are currently dealing with a water outage, which has resulted in seven days of virtual learning for Beggs students. Some residents have had no water service for 12 days.

“I think we are at an emergency level,” Zoellner said, “and I do think in my opinion, this is what part of the ARPA funds were intended for.”

Beggs citizen Cindy Hubbell shared information and her research on the issue with the board.

In attendance at Monday’s meeting also were Beggs School Superintendent Shawn Tennyson and Mayor Jacob Branson.

Tennyson informed the board that school had been out for six days (as of Monday).

Hubbell stated that about three years ago, she learned there was no ‘Plan B’ for the City of Beggs.

“My concern was the water tower could be taken out by a tornado, the lake could be sabotaged - foreign or domestic - someone could poison the lake and the City of Beggs would be without water,” she said.

The proposal from Hubbell calls for an emergency connection with rural water districts around the county. She added that several surrounding communities are using the connection as a secondary source of water in the case of emergency.

In May, Hubbell stated she attended a Beggs City Council meeting, where the board approved emergency connections with Rural Water District 6 and 7. District 6 would supply water to lower Beggs while District 7 would supply the elevated area, including where the school is located.

“We found out about the ARPA money that could be used for emergency water connections, water infrastructure,” Hubbell said. “I approached a grant writer and she agreed to write the grant.”

Hubbell stated that a 250-foot connection would be needed to tie into District 7’s line, which would then serve the school and seven residential homes (less than 20 residents). A 720-foot connection that would tie in directly to the front of the school would be extremely expensive to install.

The new proposal asked for $10,084.46 to complete the installation of the tie-in, valve and labor costs.

Mayor Jacob Branson stated the city is working on a permanent solution and have sought input from various entities to come up with a fix.

“This all started back when we did a main line improvement,” Branson said. “I argued with them back then when they did it. They ran it up over the hill and it’s gravity fed and I told them then ‘it would never work.’ Ever since then, all it does is build up air. It’s like we take two steps forward and get knocked 10 steps back. As soon as the pump cuts off, we get a lot of air in the system. A clear well will help and DEQ is working to get the money to fund the clear well. If we had the well in service now, we wouldn’t be without water.”

Branson added that shortly after he took office, he applied for ARPA funds, which were used to repair the wastewater system, since DEQ was going to start levying fines against the city if improvements were not made.

“I know everybody is mad and I’m frustrated too,” Branson said. “I’ve got to get these people water. I don’t even have water.”

The mayor introduced a representative from Odessa Pumps who outlined the current situation.

“You definitely have a pipeline problem,” he said. “The way the system is set up is antiquated and you do need another pump to work with in tandem with the pump you currently have, because if you have to shut that pump down, you will not have water, unless you have that secondary or backup pump.”

The cost of another pump is about $20,000, however, he stated the pipeline situation would have to be dealt with first. He also added that it’s likely the pump was not primed properly, in addition to the loss of 3-phase power.

“Those pumps are real touchy about their power,” the rep said. “If you are not running on full 3-phase power, those pumps will not work. My recommendation is to address those pipeline issues first. But you definitely need a secondary backup pump.”

Branson stated the electrical problems had not been fixed to restore 3-phase power to the pump.

Commissioner Zoellner stated that his primary goal is to get the kids back in school.

Superintendent Tennyson, who has been leading the school district for three years, stated the problem has been ongoing, “but nothing like this.”

“We want to be at school,” he said. Commissioner David Walker inquired as to how long it would take to install the valve. Branson stated it could take at least a week, depending on parts and no delays.

The commissioners unanimously voted to approve the request for funds.

Agenda items approved included:

• Blanket Purchase Orders: District 1 to S&H Auto for $1,000; District 1 to Cintas for $800; District 3 to O’Reilly Auto for $400.

• Reimbursement Claims for Election Board Secretary’s salary and District Attorney’s Office.

• Approved Safety Awards in the amount of $250 for Okmulgee County employees.

• Holidays for the 2023 calendar year.

• Robert Pinkston to continue serving as a trustee to the OCCJA board.

Action on a lease purchase agreement for a sheriff ’s department vehicle was tabled.

During Input from the Public, Okmulgee Area Development Corporation Direct Court Newkirk informed the board about the combined meetings between the OADC and the Henryetta Economic Development Authority (HEDA).

“We have put together what is called the Highway 75 Development Council, and as we move forward, we want to maximize our potential to develop the Hwy. 75 corridor from 211th Street all the way down to I-40 to maximize the income for the city and county,” Newkirk said.

He invited the county officials to attend and also asked for the use of Patrick Moore for some of his expertise.

Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Tim Craighton reminds citizens to use caution with heat sources and where those are placed. There were three residential fires over the weekend.