The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners met for their regular meeting on Monday. The session began with the approval of the previous meeting minutes and a blanket purchase order for District One from Premiere Truck for repairs costing a little over $14,000.

In other financial matters, the board approved 324A claims and six rightof- way offers for the Bristlecone Road project. Property and liability insurance was renewed, with the board opting to pay the full amount of $383,402 rather than an installment plan that would have totaled at least $388,403. A resolution to utilize Use Tax Funds to pay DataScout $13,322.52 was also passed.

A bid from AIPAC for material hauling over a six-month period was rejected based on the purchasing agent’s recommendation. A lease agreement for a new copier for the treasurer’s office was approved with Standing Systems, following recommendations from the finance department.

One error of corrections was approved. County Clerk Tonya Day explained that one person’s unemployment was taken out of the general fund instead of the Use Tax Fund. One cash refund request for appropriation was approved for the court clerk’s payroll. Reimbursement claims for both the District Attorney and Election Board were also approved.

The board approved a requesting and receiving officer for the fair board and two employee acknowledgements: one full-time employee for District One and one employment ceased for District Two. Approved utility permits include three from District One for RW6 and one from District Two for RW7.

Later, Commissioner Erik Zoellner discussed a possible agreement with the City of Beggs for mowing assistance at the city dam to comply with DEQ standards. After some discussion with ADA Carmen Rainbolt, the motion was approved contingent upon a change in the language of the agreement to specify that the work is “just for mowing.”

Various annual agreements for the health department, including those with the Muscogee Nation, the Community Garden Center, and Statewide Commercial Cleaning Co. were approved.

In conclusion, Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore provided an update on federal and state reporting, efforts to secure grant funding, and preparations for upcoming weather events. He also reminded residents to be mindful of their speeds in residential areas and school zones as the academic year starts back up.

Under new business, Commissioner Zoellner clarified some confusion following last week’s appointment of a first deputy for District One. Zoellner said that after further conversation with ADA Greg Stidham, the conditions for a first deputy to sit in his chair would be “illness of the commissioner, or out of the county,” as opposed to out of the state. Without additional comment, the board voted to go into an executive session.