The Okmulgee County Board of County Commissioners met Monday morning, March 9, for their regular weekly meeting at the Okmulgee County Courthouse, approving a series of routine administrative items while also hearing updates related to county property, emergency management activities and equipment purchases.
Commissioners opened the meeting with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving into regular business. The board approved the minutes from the March 2 meeting before considering reports and administrative items listed on the agenda.
— Routine administrative items approved Among the early items approved were several blanket purchase orders for county districts. District 1 submitted purchase orders for Dollar General and S&H Auto, while District 3 included a purchase order for RPI. Commissioners voted to approve the requests as presented.
The board also approved an employee sick leave donation request, allowing 21.25 hours of leave to be transferred from Kristin Rempe to Crystal Horn.
Commissioners moved through additional agenda items including approval of tax allocations. The board approved both the allocation of alcoholic beverage tax revenue and motor vehicle tax funds to the appropriate county accounts.
— Equipment Surplus & Property Items
During the meeting, commissioners approved declaring certain equipment from the Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office as surplus. Sheriff Eddy Rice explained that one piece of equipment had been damaged during use and would be replaced with a heavier-duty version better suited for the job.
“It bent the first time we used it,” Rice said. “So we’re just trading it in and getting a heavier one that will hold up better.”
The board also approved a resolution allowing disposal of surplus equipment.
Commissioners tabled action on bridge reports and related invoicing because the responsible representative was not present to provide the necessary information.
— Road & Infrastructure Planning
The board approved the county’s CIRB five-year plan, which outlines upcoming bridge and infrastructure priorities for Okmulgee County. Such plans help guide future funding and construction projects involving county road and bridge improvements.
In addition, commissioners approved three lease agreements for equipment used by the sheriff ’s department.
— Surplus equipment to be sold
Commissioners approved Invitation to Bid No. 12 to sell several surplus items belonging to District 2. Equipment listed included a spray rig, mower, trailer, curb equipment and a tire changer.
Officials noted that the items had previously been declared surplus but had not yet been sold. The equipment will now be offered through a bidding process.
— P-Card policy updated
Commissioners also approved an amendment to Resolution 21-80, which governs the county’s purchasing card (P-Card) policies and procedures.
County officials explained that the change expands eligibility for purchasing cards. Previously, only the county clerk and purchasing agent were authorized to have P-Cards. Under the amendment, all elected officials will now be eligible to obtain and use the purchasing cards for approved county expenses.
Under New Business, Assistant D.A. Carmen Rainbolt reported that several unused structures and items stored on county property are being removed or sold, which will help clear space and improve access to the area.
Two trailer houses on county property recently received an offer and have been sold. The trailers will be removed this week, opening up access to nearby roadways and making it easier to evaluate the property layout.
Rainbolt also reported that several surplus items including greenhouse structures and storage tanks – were sold through an online surplus auction site. Interest in the equipment came from buyers across the country.
“We had people coming from Colorado and even Arizona to pick up items,” Moore said. “Those hoop houses sold quickly.”
Additionally, the owner of a camper trailer previously stored on the property has contacted county officials and plans to retrieve it after paying storage fees.
Once those items are removed, the entire west portion of the property will be cleared.
— Disaster Emergency Proclamation
Commissioners also approved a disaster emergency proclamation for Okmulgee County following similar action previously taken by the Governor. The declaration allows the county to access potential state resources and assistance if needed.
— Dispatch Equipment Repairs
Near the end of the meeting, commissioners approved payment of two invoices totaling $11,833 for repairs related to the county’s dispatch communication system.
The invoices, from Muskogee Communications, included a previously approved charge of $2,673 and an additional invoice for $9,160 tied to the same repair project. Officials explained that while dispatch operations are funded through dedicated revenue, the county occasionally assists with major equipment expenses.
