The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners convened for their regular meeting Monday, addressing a packed agenda that included agreements, bids and discussions regarding ongoing emergency management efforts and communication funding for rural fire departments.

During the session, commissioners approved a renewed interlocal agreement between the City of Beggs and Okmulgee County for emergency management services. Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Moore stated the agreement continues the partnership at the same rate of $3.70 per capita, noting improved cooperation with city leadership.

Additionally, the board approved a resolution authorizing the Okmulgee County Educational Facilities Authority to assist Preston Public Schools in securing upfront funding for facility improvements. Representatives from Preston, including their financial advisors and counsel, confirmed the agreement carries no financial liability for the county, serving only as a conduit to assist the school district.

Several bids were opened and acted upon, including Bid #7 for a 2023 or newer truck for Grayson Fire Department, Bid #8 for an excavator and Bid #11 for road materials for the next six months. Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Moore reported that floodwaters from recent rains had receded, though the county continues assessing road and bridge damage to support a potential federal disaster declaration. He noted the ongoing damage assessment would conclude midweek.

A major portion of the meeting focused on a growing shortfall in the county’s Communication Division, which provides critical dispatch and communication services to the county’s rural volunteer fire departments. OCCJA Director Shannon Clark presented a proposal to allocate $15,000 per month from the county-governed rural fire tax account to help stabilize staffing, cover equipment needs and address future capital improvements.

“There’s no funding for capital improvement, and we have some major implements that are going to need to be increased in the coming months,” Clark told the commissioners.

He also stressed the increasing demands on the division, noting, “It is a big drain on the staffing requirements because of all the different banking systems, Telegram systems, communication systems that have to be issued for each individual fire district.”Clark explained that although the county could legally allocate the funds, the departments had been aware for some time that changes to the funding structure would be necessary.

“They do know that they need to pay. There’s no question about it; they know they want to pay,” he added. However, Commissioner Steve Ward expressed concern over fairness and transparency, stating he preferred to engage the rural fire departments directly before the county acted to pull funds from their shared account.

“I think we need to approach the fire board and see what they can do,” Ward said. “Let’s give them some time to talk to them and see what we can come up with, because we can’t drain their account.”Ward added, “It’s a lot better to ask them, approach them, than to forcefully do something. You catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.”

Commissioners agreed to open discussions with the departments and request updated call data and funding breakdowns from Clark to guide the talks.

The meeting also included standard approvals of claims, blanket purchase orders and utility permits.

--- Agenda Items Approved

• Minutes from May 2 & 5

• Officers’ Reports - Assessor and Election Board for month of April

• Employee Forms - District 1: Cody Burton, full-time; Tracy Snelson, full to part-time; Bob Stephens, part-time, Larry Irvin, part-time

• Allocation of Alcoholic Beverage Tax and Allocation of Motor Vehicle Tax

• Reimbursement Claim for District Attorney

• Reimbursement Claim for Election Board Secretary’s Salary

• Interlocal Agreement between City of Beggs and City of Morris with Okmulgee County Emergency Management • Invitation to Bid #10 for Courthouse Bathroom Remodel

• Invitation to Bid #11 for Road Materials (six-month period)

• Bid #7 for a 2023 or newer truck for Grayson Fire Department - opened but tabled to allow time to look at submitted bids

• Bid #8 for a wheeled excavator approved

• Resolution authorizing the Okmulgee County Educational Facilities Authority to incur indebtedness on behalf of Preston Public Schools

• Cash Fund Request of Appropriations • Payment of Claims - The board went into executive session to discuss confidential communications listed on the agenda.

The next meeting of the Okmulgee County Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, May 19, at 9 a.m.