Health department remodeling project approved

Chief Lee Johnson of the Liberty Fire Department attended the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday with questions about the expenditure of the Fire Department Sales Tax funds.

“We have read the state auditor’s handbook on how to deal with sales tax issues. We’ve got a couple of questions on title, insurance, disposal of assets, and all that sort of thing,” Chief Johnson said. One question was, who owns the assets and who is responsible for liability insurance on items purchased using county funds.

Weeks ago, state auditors informed the board that $85,631.99 of fire department funds had been misappropriated to the building, county road, and sheriff ’s funds in 2019 and 2020. The board subsequently voted to use Use Tax Funds to correct the error.

Chief Johnson thanked the commissioners for working to resolve the matter and provided them with documentation containing the department’s questions and excerpts from the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector’s brochure on County Sales Tax best practices.

Commissioner Erik Zoellner informed Chief Johnson that they would work with the District Attorney’s Office and reach back out to them.

During the meeting, the board also approved the health department’s remodeling project. The vote had previously been tabled so that the board and the district attorney could review the requested documentation.

The board also approved a change to the 2024 calendar that will recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday for county employees. — Also approved at the meeting:

• Minutes from the October 31 meeting

• Payment of claims

• Disposal of a District 3 work truck

• Reimbursement claims for the election board secretary’s salary and the district attorney

• Bid invitation for election ballots for a one-year period

• Adjustment to the appraisal for parcels 44 and 53 on the Bristlecone Rd. project

• Safety Awards for Okmulgee County employees

• October reports for the health department and county clerk

• Donation of 20 handguns with sights from the OCCJA to the Sheriff — Blanket Purchase Orders

• County General: Cookson Hills for $1,500 for legal publications; and to Dildine Lawn Care for $600

• Emergency Management to Dildine Lawn Care for $400

• Health Department: MN for $500; Amazon for $3,000

• District 1: S&H Auto for $1,000

• District 2: Fuel for $400