Resolution passed for opioid abatement grant

During Monday’s meeting, the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners reached an agreement with the county’s fire departments, addressing department inventory and ownership guidelines.

The decision follows a proposal brought forth by Chief Lee Johnson of the Liberty Area Fire Protection Association last November, seeking clarity on equipment ownership and inventory guidelines. The approved agreement stipulates that any equipment purchased with county sales tax be titled in the name of the respective fire departments, which will also be responsible for their maintenance and insurance.

ADA Carmen Rainbolt said that he and ADA Greg Stidham reviewed the agreement and found no problem with it, but suggested a reversionary clause be included to ensure that, should any fire department cease operations, the equipment purchased with tax dollars be returned to the county for surplus.

The commissioners also approved a resolution in support of the opioid abatement grant proposal heard last week by representatives from OSU’s Wellness program, with the assistance of the Okmulgee County Consortium, the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority, and other groups.

The proposal, which was submitted on Friday, seeks approximately $330,000 for its first year, aiming to expand upon existing programs within the jail that are already focusing on parenting in jail, addiction education, GED courses, and detox services.

The following items were also approved:

• Minutes from the previous meeting

• Officers’ reports for March from the Health Department, Sheriff ’s Office, County Clerk, and the Assessor for February

• Blanket Purchase Orders, including: – Health Department: $500 for MN x-rays and $3,000 for Amazon purchases – District One: $33,471.26 for repairs to a Premiere Truck and $800 for Cintas – District Three: $13,265.42 for Bruckners – Nuyaka Fire Department: $1,000 each for RPI and S&H Auto services • Eight utility permits between Beggs Telephone and District One were submitted and acknowledged by D1 Commissioner Erik Zoellner

• A 324A claim was approved for the Dentonville Road project

• Utility relocation for the Bristlecone Road project – Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore delivered his regular report, detailing a week spent answering floodplain questions, and talking about the successful Easter Egg hunt and Touch a Truck event hosted by the Okmulgee Service League and Okmulgee Young Professionals this past weekend. Director Moore also urged residents to stay weather aware with incoming storms.