Bid for asphalt laying project rejected

A new director of the Okmulgee County Emergency Management was announced during Monday’s meeting of the board of commissioners.

“After an exhaustive search for [an] emergency management director, Jeff Moore, who is the emergency management director in McIntosh County, will be joining our team on July 10,” Commissioner Erik Zoellner said. “I think we’re very fortunate to get Jeff, and he’s an experienced emergency management director. And again, he’ll start on July 10.”

The board also announced the hiring of Jamie Steph as Executive Assistant. Steph moves from the Court Clerk’s Office to her new position in the Commissioner’s Office. — Bid Rejection

County Commissioners also rejected a bid concerning laying asphalt on a stretch of road.

“We’re going to do another route,” Commissioner Zoellner said. “The only bid that came in for that project … was over $300,000.” He added that there was no room in the budget for a project like that and said they would “do other things, just from a county perspective.”

He then asked Commissioner David Walker about the cost of a similar project on a one-mile stretch of road in his district. Walker replied “that was about a year ago and mine was right at $70,000.”

The board then voted to reject the bid.

— Agenda items approved:

• Minutes from the June 19 meeting

• Employee Forms: District 1: Robert Gassiot to a full-time position • Submitted Utility Permits: District 1: Two water permits for Indian Health Services

• Transfer of Appropriations: County Clerk Tonya Day asked for a transfer from the Personal Services account to the M&O account in the amount of $14, 310. There was also a transfer from Capital Outlay to M&O for the amount of $1,410.

• The resignation of Bradley Groves from the Fair Board was acknowledged

• Resolution allowing Use Tax Fund to pay to McClendon-Winters $500 for burial (indigent)

• Monthly Transfer of Funds

• Lease/Purchase Agreements for the fiscal year 2023-24 The commissioners also approved re-signing a Lease/Purchase agreement for the Wilson Fire Department. County Clerk Tonya Day explained that “back in April, we signed a lease purchase for Wilson Fire Department to purchase the store beside the building.”

The bank officer said that the previous lease was pre-dated, but the closing date was on Monday, so they would need another one signed on the correct date. There was no change in the lease agreement.

New Business: Sheriff Eddy Rice mentioned the rising temperatures and the importance of residents staying hydrated and being weather aware.

“We’re talking about an index of 106 and 107,” Rice said.