Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners recently approved moving forward with an operational study of the county’s 911 Communication Center.

“We keep spending more and more money at the 911 Center out of the county,” Commissioner David Walker said. “All to do is get someone to come in and do some research, try to find out a reason why we are doing that, or there is something we need to do to make more money - just put together a report for us. I’ve talked to Shannon Clark, the one that kind of straightened out our jail for us to see whether he would be interested in doing it. He said he would look into it at no charge to the county.”

Walker shared data he had compiled showing how much Okmulgee County has been paying in the past, where funds are coming from and possible recommendations and improvements.

“I think it is a good idea based on the number right here,” Commissioner Erik Zoellner said. “We’re just studying it, that’s all we’re doing. I’m sure he’ll look at other similar counties and see what they are charging and similar municipalities and such.”

One of the research items would include other revenue streams, other than the county paying for the center.

“We can’t just keep losing money,” Walker said. District 1 Commissioner Zoellner asked for input on the former Beggs Health Department building. He was approached by a resident inquiring about purchasing the building, which the county has available for lease.

“It would be my hope to lease it in 2023,” Zoellner said, “and if we can’t lease it in 2023, maybe we could consider selling that building. That’s why it’s on the agenda. It’s my recommendation that we just see if we can just get it leased first and if that doesn’t work this year, then we can look at the possibility of selling.”

The building is approximately 1,200 to 1,400 feet and the current lease amount is $500.

“We have had some concerns in the past about the water and that’s why is hasn’t gone (leased) so quickly,” Zoellner said. “But we’re moving to get our water issues figured out in Beggs and once we do, I’m hopeful that we can lease that and not let that asset go.”

The commissioners voted to not consider selling the building at the present time.

The board also voted to reject Bid #9 for a Wildland Brush Truck, based on the recommendation from Morris Fire Department Chief Tim Stewart. The rural fire association asked that the item be rebid.

Agenda items approved were: • Jan. 3 meeting minutes.

• Officers’ Report from Treasurer’s Office for the month of December 2022.

• Blanket Purchase Orders: Sheriff ’s Office to The Oil Pit for $500; Health Department to Muscogee Nation for $500, Health Department to Amazon for $3,000 for supplies; Nuyaka Fire Dept. to S&H Auto for $500, Nuyaka Fire to RPI for $1,000; District 1 to Dollar General for $100, District 1 to Cintas for uniforms as needed for $800, District 2 to Autozone for $250, District 2 to O’Reilly’s Auto for $250, District 2 to RPI, $1,000, District 3 to Cintas for $700.

• Employee Forms: Requisitioning and Receiving Officers for District 3.

• Utility Permits - One in District 2 for a water line cut and for fiber installation in District 3.

• Declaration of Surplus for a side-by-side from Schulter Fire Department.

• Letter naming Jody Boone as the Insurance Coordinator for the county.

Under New Business, the board approved a resolution for Use Tax to pay for ODP Business Solutions for the new updated county maps.