Warming station efforts discussed

After a cold holiday weekend, the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners convened to conduct county business Tuesday morning. They began by approving a drug enforcement revolving fund for the district attorney.

The board then approved reimbursement claims for both the District Attorney’s Office and the Election Board secretary’s salary. An agreement between the health department and BTC Broadband was approved, as well as an agreement between the health department and the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

The appointment of Rick Crenshaw to the fair board was approved. Crenshaw will replace Watson Langford.

Under new business, the board approved 324A claims for the Bristlecone Road project.

District Three’s purchase of a flatbed truck from Okmulgee County Emergency Management was also approved. Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore said the truck “exceeded the need” of his department.

Director Moore also provided his weekly report, spending much time working with local organizations to prepare for the weekend weather. He discussed a potential warming station with Mayor Mickey Baldwin and worked with him and other community leaders and volunteers to set one up at First United Methodist Church.

Commissioner Erik Zoellner asked Undersheriff Smokey Patchin about the number of unhoused people in Okmulgee.

Patchin estimated about 150 unhoused and said that rumors of them being bussed from Tulsa are unconfirmed.

Director Moore said he had received numbers between 50 and 150 as well, and estimated that the warming shelter had helped about 20 of them. He added that the facility had 50 cots but could fit around 200 people if needed.