The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners met for a brief regular meeting on Monday, opening with the pledge, a prayer and the approval of minutes from the Sept. 9 and 10 meetings.

During public comment, resident Joseph Dicesare again asked the commissioners to explore programs that provide assistance to residents at risk of losing their homes due to property taxes and debt. He presented documentation on Tulsa’s “Saving Our Homes Initiative” (SOHI) to the commissioners, who took his phone number and requested 2-3 weeks to look into it.

Next, the board approved a District 1 employee form, a utility permit from District 2 for One-Gas, and the payment of claims, including a 324a claim for the Bristlecone Rd. project.

A bid for improvements to Courtroom Two of the courthouse, submitted by MasterCraft, was also approved. Judge Deborah Reheard had reviewed the bid prior to approval.

Additional approvals included a project damage statement for District 2, which Commissioner David Walker explained is related to receiving storm damage payments.

Before entering executive session, the board received the weekly emergency management report from Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore. He noted that a new state hazard mitigation officer had approved the county’s warning siren project, which is now awaiting funding. Moore also reported receiving two floodplain inquiries from different areas of the county and mentioned that the updated county safety program should be ready for commission approval within 1-2 weeks.