The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday morning to address a full agenda ranging from utility permits and bid approvals to a proposal for a new facility in Beggs and detailed storm response efforts following recent severe weather.

The board supported a move approved by the OCCJA board allowing the Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office to take over management of 911 dispatch services. OCCJA Executive Director Shannon Clark will continue to support the transition under the existing public safety framework.

“There is not really a lot of changes… just a slightly different structure,” Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice said about his department taking over the dispatch service. Assistant District Attorney Carmen Rainbolt likened the change to a ‘sublease.’

Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Moore provided a detailed report on the county’s response to recent storms.

“We had minor damage throughout the county. It could’ve been a lot worse,” Moore reported. “Up north got hit the worst with some homes losing roofs and some vegetative damage.”

He praised volunteer efforts and specifically commended the Liberty and Mounds fire departments for their quick and effective response.

“Liberty drove every road in their area. Mounds babysat the power poles. They did an excessive amount of work, and they were on the spot.”

Moore also noted a special deployment of the county’s water buffalo unit to Stilwell, after a tornado knocked out power and water supplies. Flooding was expected to be minimal this week with cresting expected near 18.5 feet on the Deep Fork River.

A citizen inquired about leasing the county-owned building formerly known as the Beggs Health Department. Commissioners expressed interest in the proposal, which falls under the authority of the Okmulgee County Public Facilities Authority. The request was referred to that body for formal consideration before returning to the commissioners.

The board approved use of the 781 Fund money for opioid-related programs.

Ashley Reed, recently appointed as project manager for the Opioid Abatement Grant, updated commissioners on the need for a formal contract between Okmulgee County and CREOKS to include her role and point-of-contact information.

Reed said, “We noticed coming on that the contract wasn’t signed between CREOKS and Okmulgee County ... this just needs to be finalized so we can continue our abatement efforts.”

The commissioners approved the contract pending DA’s approval.

The commissioners approved several purchases recommended by the Fire Board Association, including repeater equipment, tower rent and radio system modifications funded by fire tax dollars.

In new business, Johnny Wagner, chaplain for OCCJA and pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, received approval to host a community event on the courthouse lawn the evening of Saturday, Aug. 2.

“We’ll have music from Austin Travis, a local pastor giving a devotion, and we’re working to livestream the event into the jail facility,” Wagner said. “It’s a community-wide outreach event.” Commissioners unanimously approved the request, praising the collaborative efforts behind the program.

--- Agenda Action

The board approved the following items:

• Blanket Purchase Orders

• Employee Forms: new requisitioning and receiving officers for the OCSO and District 3; along with employee forms for Brad Jefferis and Levi Morgan, District 1, employment ceased; and Mike Shaw, Assessor’s Office, full-time.

• Bid #9 for a 2023 or newer truck for the Treasurer’s Office was approved.

• Bid #10 for the courthouse bathroom remodel was opened but tabled for review.

• Bid #11 for road materials was tabled pending further review and spreadsheet analysis.

• Payment of Claims Commissioners also acted on utility permits (Beggs Telephone with District 1) and private property agreements for dirt work in District 1.