Commissioners meet in regular session
The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a proclamation for a countywide Day of Prayer this Thursday.
The meeting began with an approval of the minutes from the previous meeting on April 28.
Prior to the vote on the Day of Prayer, Beth Myers, who has spearheaded the event for about the last 10 years, spoke further about the event.
“We’ve done this almost every year for the past 10 years,” she said. “We usually gather somewhere around town, read proclamations, and pray.”
She mentioned that the information is also available on the National Day of Prayer website.
According to the website, the first Continental Congress called for a Day of Prayer in 1775 in order to “pray for wisdom in forming a nation.”
The county proclamation reads as follows: “WHEREAS, a National Day of Prayer has been an important part of our American heritage since the Continental Congress in 1775; and WHEREAS, Oklahomans share a reliance on God, faith, and prayer, and treasure the freedom to practice our religious beliefs; and WHEREAS, we recognize the necessity of strengthening the spiritual and moral values in our land with the effective, fervent prayers of righteous people that avail much, and WHEREAS, it is eminently fitting and proper that we in Okmulgee County observe a day when our citizens may acknowledge and express gratitude to God for His many blessings in all aspects of our lives; and WHEREAS, we trust in and rely upon God for repentance, mercy, comfort, hope, healing, peace, protection, support, and guidance; and WHEREAS, it is appropriate for all who choose to gather together in unity to turn to God in order that we may honor Him, each other, our communities, our county, state and nation; WE NOW THEREFORE, as The Commissioners of the County of Okmulgee in the State of Oklahoma, do hereby proclaim Thursday, May 4, 2023, as ‘A Day of Prayer.’” The event is scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Okmulgee County Courthouse west gazebo.
During Monday’s session, Dawn Longan, office manager for the Okmulgee County Commissioners, spoke about the need for gazebo maintenance and upkeep on the surrounding flowerbeds.
There was also an information request regarding tax money received by the Mounds Fire Department from the counties that they service.
Commissioner Erik Zoellner introduced the issue by mentioning the Mounds Fire Department’s “unique situation,” stating that the fire department services both Creek County and parts of Okmulgee County.
Chief Kirk Sohl of the Mounds Fire Department expounded further, mentioning that, despite servicing both counties, they are no longer receiving tax money from Okmulgee County.
Further information was requested from both Chief Sohl, and the District Attorney’s office.
Zoellner also asked Chief Sohl to share his thoughts on the 911 facility, which recently moved under the supervision of the OCCJA.
Chief Sohl mentioned that there were difficulties responding with 911 in the past, and many of the issues still persist, but in his recent visit to the facility, “they were working diligently to fix the problems that we are having.”
Agenda items approved were:
• Officers’ Reports from the Assessor’s Office, County Clerk and Okmulgee County Health Department for April
• Blanket Purchase Orders: Sheriff ’s Office, Oil Pit for $500; Health Department to Amazon for $3,000; Health Department to Muscogee Nation for TB Testing, $500; General Government to Cookson Hills, Legal Publications for $1,500; General Government to Dildine Lawn Care, $400; Emergency Management to Dildine Lawn Care for $400; District 1 to S&H Auto for $1,000
• Payment in Lieu of Tax Agreement with Muscogee Creek Nation The members voted to go into executive session to discuss confidential communications.
