On Monday morning, Okmulgee Mayor Mickey Baldwin spoke to the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners, addressing recent noise complaints regarding CP Kelco and providing more information about ongoing efforts for a resolution.

Baldwin reported that the plant has installed new equipment and is planning further measures, such as a permanent sound wall, to reduce sound pollution, adding that Kelco’s attempts to mitigate noise “are still moving forward.”

Baldwin indicates that while the noise issues have been disruptive for some residents, the plant is operating in compliance with relevant regulations “We’re blessed to have a premier company that has partnered with our city and our county, working with us. And within the guidelines of OSHA and all those different aspects, they are within all of their rights,” Baldwin stated.

The mayor also sought to dispel the perception that Kelco is “kicking the can down the road” due to a sale of the company. He explained that Huber will retain around a 19% stake in the company, and two board seats.

Commissioner David Walker said that he had contacted Dexter Day, the current plant manager, and has a meeting scheduled with him this week to further discuss the issue, hoping to provide clearer updates to residents.

Next, the board heard from Tom Gaskins regarding an incorrect date on a sale packet he purchased from the treasurer’s office. Gaskins explained that the letter stated the property sale would be on Oct. 26, but it had occurred on Oct. 21.

He added that he and his bank relied on the incorrect date provided in the letter and asked that the commissioners not authorize the sale and reschedule it for another time.

Both County Treasurer Lindsay Bunch and Deputy Treasurer Latrice Pannell acknowledged the date discrepancy, stating it was a “scrivener’s error” on the letter, but said that the legally published notices had the correct Oct. 21 date.

ADA Greg Stidham told the commissioners that the statutory requirements for notice of the sale had been met through the published notices, despite the error in the letter. He suggested the sale should stand based on the proper legal notifications.

While sympathetic to Gaskins’ situation, the commissioners decided to follow the district attorney’s advice while suggesting Gaskins follow up with the treasurer for other possible resolutions.

Later, the board addressed another scrivener’s error, this time concerning recent changes to the county’s 457 retirement plan, following last week’s move to cap the price at $500 for all employees.

“So my recommendation last week that was passed, I thought, was a $500 cap for all employees,” Commissioner Zoellner stated. “I guess the scrivener’s error did not add the word ‘all.’” Commissioners David Walker and Michael Wallace were hesitant to reduce the existing $679.62 contribution for current employees, concerned it would be seen as taking money away from workers.

After some back-and-forth, the commissioners voted to maintain the $679.62 cap for existing employees, but set a $500 cap for any new employees, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Next, the commissioners moved on to address two related items: the transcripts of proceedings for the sale of county property acquired at resale and the deeds for county property acquired at resale. Both items were approved.

— Other approvals include:

• The minutes from the October 21 meeting, and the payment of claims

• Two utility permits from District 1 – RWD#6

• One blanket purchase order: Comdata (fuel) for Okmulgee County Emergency Management (a third permit from Triple G Excavating was tabled)

• The ceased employment of one District 1 employee • Use of the county’s Use Tax Fund to pay $22,750 to Jane Trim and Hardware

• Another discussion regarding county cemetery regulations was tabled -Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore provided an update on current fire risks and discussed burn ban options, though one has yet to be declared for the county. He also reported 7 grass fires and 3 structure fires, including one fatality.

Executive Assistant Jamie Steph provided the inventory status report, noting that of the five letters sent to surrounding entities requesting inventory information, four had been received.

Under New Business, Commissioner Zoellner announced that he invited Rachel Cooper, who served as an engineer for Wagner County, to come speak to the board at the next meeting about the pros and cons of the county having its own engineer.

Scott Brians, Program Manager for Eastern Oklahoma Circuit Engineering District 2, told the commissioner that Wagner “gave her two weeks,” recently, to which Commissioner Zoellner responded, “Did she really? She might be coming here, if we hired her.”

Brians interjected, noting his own experience working in Wagner County for 15 years. He said that prior to having their own county engineer, Wagner County had previously spent money on consultants, and said that few cities can afford to have their own engineer.

While expressing thanks for the information, Commissioner Zoellner told Brians that he was not on the agenda before moving on to present a Certificate of Appreciation to fellow Commissioner David Walker for his help in overseeing the allocation of ARPA funds.

The meeting was then adjourned.