Commissioners approve Use Tax to pay for fencing

Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners met in session on Tuesday morning due to the Presidents’ Day Holiday Monday.

During the meeting, the board approved the payment for the fencing around the District 2 Barn out of the Use Tax fund. The members had previously approved accepting the bid from Aladdin Fencing in the amount of $26,375, and the Resolution approved Tuesday will move forward with the installation project.

Resolution 21-112 on COVID-19 was amended by the county. The action amends the county’s coverage for covid-related illness, with the employee now having to use their paid time off or sick leave.

The Emergency Proclamation dated June 1, 2020, related to the COVID-19 State of Emergency for the county was also rescinded. The state’s declaration ended in 2020, and the federal government’s emergency proclamation will end in May.

The commissioners also approved an update on the Trane project. They have now included the courthouse windows into the scope of work. Commissioner David Walker added that Trane said “they could roll right into theirs, and be a contract to sign, but they would be responsible for everything just like they are for the air-conditioning.” The approximate cost would be about $1 million.

Agenda items approved were:

• Minutes from Feb. 13 meeting

• Officers’ Report from Treasurer for January

• Blanket Purchase Orders: Assessor’s Office to District 2 for fuel as needed; General Government to ComData for fuel as needed

• Employee Forms: 911 - Roxanne Bell and Misty Swayze, employment ceased; Sheriff ’s Office - Alex Owen, employment ceased; District 3, Clint VanMeter, full-time

• Private Property Agreements - District 3 with Howard Edmondson for shale, District 2 with Harvey Torix and Clay Walker for drainage work

• Cash Fund Request for Appropriations

• Payment of Claims

• Resolution to transfer storage building to District 1

• 324A Claim for Bristlecone Road Project

• Contract Close-out Certification for 2022 REAP Grant

• Memorandum of Understanding with Muscogee Nation for roads inventory

• Action regarding courthouse security cameras using ARPA funds A brief discussion was held about the possible sale of a portion of the South Industrial Park property. Commissioner Walker stated someone was interested in a portion of the property, however, part of the Industrial Park is used by District 2 for storage, and the OCSO has an additional 20 acres in use.

Okmulgee Area Development Corporation Director Court Newkirk inquired as to whether the OADC would need to adjust their maps for inquiries about the proposed property.

“Depending on how many acres they need, we pitch the South Industrial Park to them as a possible location for them,” Newkirk said. “We just need to know that if you are going to carve like 20 out of the front, so we can adjust our map and still present the other portion.”

Sheriff Rice stated he would not be opposed to moving, just as long as his department would have somewhere to relocate.

There are industrial- size sewer and water lines installed up to the front gates of the property. Newkirk added that the property has been listed for “industrial use” since its inception.

The board decided to delay any action to do further research on the property use.