Commissioners address accounting error
Martha Laughlin, Business Manager of the Okmulgee County Health Department was at this week’s meeting of the Okmulgee County Commissioners to discuss plans to move forward with the health department’s remodeling project.
“So, our construction management company bid out the pieces of the remodel, and they came up with a price of $923,143.69,” Laughlin said. “They did the competitive bidding in their office, they send it to the newspapers, they open bids in their office, then they presented us the numbers.”
According to Laughlin, the Okmulgee County Health Department had the budget to cover this re- model and asked the board to approve the amount. This would grant the agency permission to write a purchase order once the final budget is entered into their account.
Chad Whitnah of Miller Tippens was also in attendance and explained their bidding process.
“As a CM, we’re able to represent you guys in that, so that satisfies the public bidding process,” Whitnah said.
Laughlin added that when they signed the contract with Miller Tippens, which was approved by the board, “we asked at that point if it had to be opened here, and the answer was no, as long as we followed the law. So they (Miller Tippens) advertised twice. After 21 days, they opened the bids in their office.”
Commissioner David Walker asked ADA Greg Stidham how he felt about approving the amount. He said that he would like to see the publication notice and suggested the commissioners look at the bids as well. The board decided to table the item until next week, allowing time to review the documentation.
— Use Tax Funds
The commissioners also voted to use the Use Tax Fund to address an accounting error.
As previously reported, Karri Carter from the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspection office said that in 2019, the fire department received $38,900 less funds, and then $46,731 less in 2020.
“I make the motion that we use Use Tax dollars to make whole that amount of $85,631.99 – which is a tax that was passed by the citizens of Okmulgee County in 2018 – to make the Fire Tax whole to the rural firefighters … to correct the error,” Commissioner Zoellner said.
According to Zoellner, this was the recommendation given by state auditors.
— Also approved at the meeting:
• Minutes from the previous meeting
• A cash fund request of appropriations
• The payment of claims
• Commissioner Zoellner voted as a member of the Green Country Workforce Development Consortium • New vehicle for the Sheriff ’s Office to be used by the new School Resource Officer (SRO) for Henryetta Public Schools — Blanket Purchase Orders
• District 1: Cintas for $800; S&H Auto for $1,000
• District 2: Cintas for $700; RPI for $1,000
• District 3: O’Reilly’s Auto Parts for $600; RPI for $800; Cintas for $900 — Employee Forms
• District 1: One employment ceased; One donation of sick leave
• Treasurer’s Office: One requisitioning and receiving officer — Private Property Agreements
• There were two private property agreements, one for each of the districts, D1 and D2, respectively — Declaration to Surplus
• Old AC unit at the District 1 barn – In addition to hearing the regular weekly report from the Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore, which can be found in today’s edition, the board also listened to a brief presentation from Tony Berg of Boston Mutual Insurance regarding the life insurance services that they provide.
During New Business, Sheriff Eddy Rice reported roughly $19,000 in hail damage to patrol vehicles, following the recent storms. He requested using pool funds to pay the deductible.
Commissioner Zoellner also announced that the District One barn will be renamed to honor former County Commissioner Ron Ballard. The event will take place at the barn this Friday at 10 a.m.
