The Okmulgee County Board of County Commissioners met for its regular meeting Monday, addressing a full agenda that included a detailed presentation from ACCO representatives regarding the statewide insurance pool assessment, discussions on county contracts, action on employee forms and updates from Emergency Management.

The most extensive portion of Monday’s meeting centered on a presentation from two ACCO officials, who explained why counties statewide received significant insurance assessments over the past year. Schroeder reminded commissioners that counties jointly own two major insurance pools – one for workers’ compensation and one for property and liability coverage. These pools are governed by county commissioners across Oklahoma and operate on shared premiums and shared losses.

The representative said the pool experienced four consecutive years (2020-2024) in which claims far exceeded premiums collected. This included a series of severe weather events, such as a $6.5 million hailstorm, and a steep rise in law-enforcement related litigation, now considered the primary driver of financial strain.

Representatives provided specific calculations showing how assessments were determined for Okmulgee County and the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority, using premium payments and underwriting losses from the last four policy years:

• County premium paid: $141,142

• Underwriting loss: $82,852

• Assessment calculated by averaging the two totals: $111,992

• Jail Trust premium paid: $78,937

• Underwriting loss: $174,467

• Assessment calculated by average two totals: $126,792 “These cases are just chewing up our hard pool deductible,” Dusty said, noting that defending a single federal jail lawsuit can cost $300,000 to $500,000, easily overwhelming the pool’s internal retention costs. He confirmed that the pool required a $10 million statewide assessment to stabilize operations and maintain reinsurance.

A county official expressed concern about language in prior notices sent to counties, describing them as “threatening,” particularly language regarding exploring other insurance providers. ACCO representatives assured the board that counties are never penalized for seeking quotes and that the only limitation is a long-standing three-year waiting period for re-entry should a member county leave the pool.

Commissioners approved officers’ reports, blanket purchase orders and employee forms, including acknowledgment of resignations within the county’s 911 center. The board also approved utility permits, private property agreements, alcoholic beverage tax allocation, motor vehicle tax allocation and reimbursement claims for both the District Attorney’s Office and the Election Board Secretary.

The board approved a declaration to surplus four desktop computers used in Emergency Management. Emergency Management officials stated the computers would be parted out for usable components rather than resold.

Commissioners reviewed a BNSF track agreement application concerning railcar delivery for rock shipments. Questions were raised regarding language implying the county would be responsible for switching or providing its own railcars. Officials clarified that the county only intends to lease a railcar for material delivery, not manage switching operations. The board moved forward after confirming that the agreement matched the county’s intended responsibilities.

A second agreement – this one with Harris United concerning N. 230 Road – was also approved after commissioners verified revisions relating to tinhorn requirements for public access.

Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Moore provided an extensive report, noting that FEMA officials recently visited Okmulgee County to complete small project inspections linked to DR-4776, the 2024 tornado and storm disaster declaration. Projects for the City of Morris and District 3 are now ready for closeout.

He also announced adjustments to District 1’s ongoing spring storm project, with federal officials revising the original funding estimate upward from $95,000 to approximately $120,000–$130,000 to cover a low-water crossing on 230 Road.

Emergency responses from the past week included: • Assistance to the Red Cross during an eight-family apartment fire in Tulsa.

• Atmospheric testing following a tanker incident on Highway 16 at the Beggs exit, where strong odors prompted safety concerns.

• A residential fire in rural Okmulgee County in which no loss of life occurred; Emergency Management assisted the displaced family.

Moore was also asked about the long-awaited approval for tornado siren upgrades. He confirmed that the federal government has reopened and the project now awaits final signoff from the Director of Homeland Security, with hopes of approval within the next several months.

Under New Business, commissioners discussed the county’s ongoing negotiations with the City of Okmulgee over rising 911 dispatch costs. Following a Friday meeting between county and city officials, an addendum was drafted proposing a $2,000 monthly increase from January through the end of the fiscal year in June.

The addendum includes signature lines for both the city manager and mayor to accommodate the city’s governance structure. Commissioners unanimously voted to approve forwarding the proposal to the city for consideration.