Storm Spotter Training Feb. 20 at GCTC

It was business as usual for the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners who convened on Monday for their regular meeting. Here’s what was approved:

• Officer’s Reports from the County Assessor, County Clerk and Okmulgee County Health Department • Blanket Purchase Orders for District 2: Cintas for $700; General Government: Cookson Hills for $1,500; health department for $500 (MN) and $3,000 Amazon • Two employee forms: one fulltime employee for District 1 and one employment ceased for District 3

• One submitted utility permit from East Central Electric and one private property agreement

• Declaration to surplus a truck that emergency management sold to District 3

• Resolution to dispose of an old scanner from the county clerk • Allocation of the Alcoholic Beverage Tax and Motor Vehicle Tax

• 324A Claims for the Bristlecone Rd. Project The board also approved a contract between BTC and the treasurer. County Treasurer Lindsay Bunch said that the updates to the phone system will save the department “close to” a thousand dollars per year.

An update from Trane on the progress of courthouse construction was postponed until next week.

Later, Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore delivered his weekly report. While many residents felt the earthquake over the weekend, he said there were no reports of structural damage.

Director Moore announced that he will be attending the 2024 Oklahoma Emergency Managers Conference in Durant during the first week of March. He also announced the upcoming storm spotter training that will take place at Green Country Technology Center later this month.

Director Moore has previously stated the primary goal of the training is not simply to recognize tornadoes but to also give participants a better understanding of storm structure. That training will be open to the public on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Residents interested in this training or other volunteer opportunities with OCEM are encouraged to reach out to Director Moore.