The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners approved several agreements during Monday’s regular meeting along with tabling issues related to insurance concerns.
A discussion on Bid #12 related to the hauling of road materials for a six-month period was held and commissioners unanimously voted to reject all submitted bids after it was revealed that some vendors did not receive bid packets.
“These did not get mailed out to everybody last time,” one commissioner noted during the meeting, prompting a motion to reject and reissue the bid.
Commissioners then approved Invitation to Bid #13 to ensure an equitable rebidding process and maintain vital roadwork schedules across the county.
Another key action involved approving an agreement between the City of Okmulgee, BNSF Railway, and Okmulgee County regarding bridge repairs. The agreement facilitates cooperation across municipal and private entities to address a long-standing infrastructure need.
Agenda items approved were:
• Officers Report and Blanket Purchase Orders
• Requisitioning and Receiving Officers for the County Clerk’s Office were approved, along with Matthew Boyd, District 3.
• Utility Permits – District 1 with Rural Water District 6
• Private Property Agreement
• Transfer of Funds: A $10,000 transfer from General Capital Outlay to General Maintenance and Operations; and $31.37 transfer within the Election Board budget from Professional Services to Part-Time Wages.
• Two Juvenile Detention Agreements with Craig and Creek Counties.
Commissioners approved the resolution to renew lease purchase agreements for the 20252026 fiscal year and also voted to surplus unspent Highway Department funds from FY 2024-25 into the next year’s budget.
— Property & Workers’ Comp Insurance Under Scrutiny One of the more contentious topics of the morning came during discussion of the county’s property and liability insurance renewal. Commissioners expressed concern about a surprise $110,000 add-on to the policy.
“That’s an additional $110,000 that has to be added to that,” a commissioner explained.
The added cost reportedly stemmed from a retroactive adjustment linked to jail liability across multiple counties over the past four years, which some present criticized as unfair.
“They lost $18 million … now they’re trying to come back,” one official stated.
“This sounds like extortion,” another remarked, calling for the Attorney General to be contacted for guidance. Ultimately, the item was tabled pending further review.
A similar proposal to renew workers’ compensation insurance was also tabled amid growing uncertainty about rising costs and lack of transparency in the policy terms.
Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore updated commissioners on his department’s recent efforts. He attended a grant-writing seminar earlier in the week, provided updated funding strategies, and responded to a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 40 that involved several head of cattle.
“We got that all cleaned up and taken care of,” Moore said. He also reported three or four calls regarding floodplain issues and praised volunteer Mark Kaplan for monitoring weather while he was out of town.
The board entered executive session to discuss ongoing lawsuit against The Emergency Medical Service, A Public Trust (Case No. CV-2023-155) and internal oversight and operational concerns related to the 911 dispatch system and the Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office.
– The next regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, July 7, at 9 a.m. at the Okmulgee County Courthouse. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend.
