The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners convened for their regular meeting Monday addressing a range of agenda items spanning from budgetary transfers to public safety agreements. Commissioners Michael Wallace (Chairman, District 3), Steve Ward (District 2) and Ernie Ferreira (District 1) were in attendance.
— Agenda Items Approved
Among the actions taken during the meeting:
• Minutes from the June 9 meeting were approved unanimously.
• Officers’ Reports were received and accepted, including the Election Board’s report for May.
• Blanket Purchase Orders were approved, including requests from Districts One and Two and the Nuyaka Fire Department.
• Employee Forms – District 2, John Gouthier, employment ceased; District 1 – Gage Tennyson and Don Middleton, new employees.
• Utility Permits and Private Property Agreements were approved, including work in District One for property owners Lewis Bryant, Vaughn Bailey and Mike Porter.
The commissioners also approved a resolution to use Use Tax funds to pay $518.73 to OMECORP, LLC and $8,689 to Labass Protection LLC, both related to repairs due to a lightning strike during a recent storm.
That storm caused damage inside the courthouse, which included 10 computers in county offices, the door entry access, some phone abilities and the county radio tower.
Appropriation transfers were approved, with officials noting adjustments were necessary. Funds were shifted to ensure coverage for salaries and travel costs in the County Clerk and Assessor’s Office, along with OSU Extension.
Commissioners also approved a resolution to reimburse Election Board expenses, a routine measure required each fiscal year.
— Agreements for Public Services
The board gave its approval to two key service agreements:
• A renewed agreement with the USDA for animal control services. Commissioners briefly discussed the variable number of animal control interventions handled each year.
• An updated juvenile detention agreement, which includes transportation and housing services for juvenile offenders through the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs All county claims submitted were reviewed and approved.
During the Emergency Management report, Director Jeffrey Moore shared updates on recent weather activity and safety trainings: “Last week wasn’t too bad,” Moore said, noting that his office attended seven meetings, including city council sessions in Beggs and Morris, and the Northeast Region Emergency Management meeting in Bixby.
Moore added that his department conducted quarterly safety trainings for all three county districts and remained on alert over the weekend for flood risks following heavy rainfall. He reported 34 inches of rain over the past 12 weeks, which accounts for 65% of the county’s annual rainfall to date.
Although a flood warning remains in effect, Moore predicted only minor flooding and said the Deep Fork River is expected to crest below major levels. He also reported the theft of road signs in multiple areas, an issue that has resurfaced.
The meeting concluded without discussion of new business and was adjourned shortly after.
The next regular meeting of the Okmulgee County Commissioners is expected to take place Monday, June 23, at 9 a.m. at the County Courthouse.
