The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners met Monday to address a range of county business items, including an update on the Opioid Abatement Grant, equipment purchases for the Sheriff ’s Department and approval of employee incentive payments.

— Opioid Abatement Grant Update Commissioners heard an extensive update from the CREOKS program representative regarding ongoing services and new developments tied to the Opioid Abatement Grant.

The representative reported that during the last quarter, CREOKS continued offering Seeking Safety and MRT (Moral Reconation Therapy) groups inside the Okmulgee County Jail – with 41 sessions conducted and three groups graduating. “Things are going really good there,” she said, noting that three groups had successfully completed their courses, “two seeking safety, and one MRT.”

She added that the agency is working to expand its accessibility efforts. “We’re also looking at getting some Spanish curriculum inside the jail,” she told commissioners. “We have a little bit of leftover from this grant cycle, and we’re hoping to use that for that Spanish-speaking curriculum. We’re really excited about getting that going.”

Family and Children’s Services, another participating organization, provided 32 parenting-in-jail classes, oversaw 38 child visitations and served 26 participants over the quarter. “They also reported that 88 percent of those had improved child interaction,” the representative said, commending the success of the partnership.

The Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority (OCCJA) has also seen progress. “They have fully launched their GED program,” she reported. “They got everything installed as far as the software, and they also got their employees trained on substance use education. They have eight inmates currently in the first cohort, and they’ve begun the testing this month.”

Financially, approximately $57,000 was expended this past quarter, with a little under $66,000 remaining to be used before the June 30, 2026 deadline. “We’re really trying to use that money and not let it go to waste,” she said, emphasizing her ongoing efforts to ensure all funds are properly allocated and utilized for local programming.

Discussing the next grant cycle, she explained, “We’re getting $150,000 per year for three years – so a total of $450,000 – but it is less than what we got this past grant cycle, which was a little disappointing.” Despite the reduction, she expressed optimism about new initiatives, noting, “We were able to continue the parenting-in-jail program through Family and Children’s Services, and we’ve also decided to do prevention education in schools throughout Okmulgee County.” Implementation plans are already underway. “We’ve already started getting everyone trained and ready,” she said. “We’re hoping that by January, as soon as we come back from Christmas break, we’re ready to go in all of the schools.”

The representative also highlighted new efforts to support inmate reentry. “It’s kind of been a goal for us to have that reentry from the jail,” she said.

Commissioners reviewed and approved officer reports, blanket purchase orders and employee forms as part of routine financial business.

The board also approved several district and general government purchases, including items for the Creek Nation, AutoZone, Cookson Hills Publishers and Stewart Martin.

The Sheriff ’s Department received approval to use Use Tax funds to purchase a tractor and brush hog for maintenance and mowing. Commissioners noted the new equipment would be more cost-effective and efficient in the longterm, reducing repeated mowing expenses throughout the year.

A resolution was approved to use Use Tax funds for one-time employee incentive payments, which was unanimously approved by the board.

The board opened two submissions and awarded Bid #7 for the county’s election ballots to Midwest Printing. Election Board Secretary Ashley Carnes stated that the company has provided excellent service over the years, and she also added that ballot printing costs are paid by schools and municipalities, not by the county.

Two utility permits with Rural Water District 6 were also approved for work on Hectorville Road in District 1.

During the meeting’s closing portion, the board was notified that all courthouse hallway doors will be repainted a darker gray in the coming weeks. Work will be done after hours and on weekends to minimize disruption to county offices.

The next regular meeting of the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Nov. 10, at 9 a.m.