In a unanimous decision, the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month during their regular session Monday.

The proclamation cited some 165 substantiated victims of child maltreatment in the county over the last year and called for increased participation from citizens, community agencies, and businesses in efforts to prevent child abuse.

“Therefore, on this 8th day of April 2024, We the Okmulgee County Commissioners do hereby proclaim April as child abuse prevention month in Okmulgee County and call upon citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities and businesses to increase their participation in our efforts to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen the communities in which we live,” Commissioner David Walker announced. Following the proclamation, leaders gathered for a commemorative photo. (See page 2A) Also at the meeting, the board the minutes from the previous meeting, a cash fund appropriation request, allocations for the Motor Vehicle Tax and Alcoholic Beverage Tax, and reimbursement claims for the Election Board Secretary’s salary and the District Attorney’s office.

The commissioners approved the following blanket purchase orders: District 1– S&H Auto for $1,000; District 3–RPI for $500, O’Reilly’s for $1,000, and Cintas for $900. approved employee forms for Districts 1 and 3 included one full-time hire and two terminations.

Okmulgee Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore then gave his weekly report, detailing a week of increased floodplain inquiries, which he says indicate a growing county.