The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners approved the only bid received for repairs near the Dentonville Road Bridge.

Bid #3 for Erosion Control/ Embankment Repair was awarded for $171,050 to Adam Tanks and Lease Service. According to Commissioner Steve Ward, the company was the only one to show up at the mandatory pre-bid meeting.

The county also approved a Declaration declaring the Dentonville Road Bridge a critical emergency.

Officials are keeping an eye on the bridge as there is heavy rains expected to hit the county later this week.

Commissioner Ward stated that if that happens, the bridge will have to be closed due to safety concern.

Earlier this year, an inspection of the bridge area showed there to be “no rip-rap put on the south side of it, and the river comes straight towards the south side,” Ward said at that meeting. “If we have a big flood or something, we have to shut the bridge down, and that’s a highly traveled road, so we’re working as fast and as quick as we can legally to get this accomplished.”

Approved agenda items were:

• Officers’ Report: Election Board for the month of March

• Employee Forms: Mike Stacy to Treasurer’s Office, full-time; Amy Humphrey, County Clerk’s Office, employment ceased; Richard Walters, Sheriff ’s Office, full-time; Requisitioning and Receiving Officers for the Sheriff ’s Office.

• Utility Permits: District 1 with Rural Water District 6.

• Private Property Agreements: District 2 with David Dixon

• Allocation of Alcoholic Beverage Tax and Motor Vehicle Tax

• Reimbursement Claim for the District Attorney

• Reimbursement Claim for the Election Board Secretary’s salary

• Lease Purchase for the Sherif ’s vehicle

• Cash Fund Request of Appropriations

• Payment of claims — Report from Emergency Management

Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Moore delivered an optimistic report, highlighting a quiet week for emergency calls, steady progress on tornado recovery efforts and renewed focus on preparedness and new technology initiatives.

“Last week wasn’t too awful bad,” Moore said. “We didn’t have any call-outs or anything, so we had a chance to get caught up on the last previous seven weeks.”

One of the key updates involved ongoing recovery from the 2024 tornado that impacted parts of the county, including Morris and District 3. Moore informed the commissioners that financial reimbursements are moving through the final stages.

“We got an update on the 2024 tornado recovery,” he said. “The comptroller said it should run through the system this week, and the county should get their reimbursement within the next couple of weeks.”

The closeout for the city of Morris is expected to be completed by the end of April, while the county’s portion of the recovery – specifically the 300 Road project in District 3 – will wrap up about a month later.

“Once that project’s done, we’ll be all closed out and finished with everything that came from that tornado,” Moore added.

In addition to recovery efforts, Moore reported a productive visit to the Oklahoma State Capitol last Tuesday. He was joined by Commissioner Ron Wallace and two emergency management volunteers, where they met with legislators and state officials.

“We went to the Capitol and spoke to our representatives and some other folks,” Moore said. “Thanks to Commissioner Wallace for going with us.”

While at the Capitol, Moore and his team also met with representatives from two companies to discuss advancements in the county’s drone program, including software for operating and mapping.

“We’re working on implementing everything we previously approved for the drone system,” Moore said. “It’s going great.”

He also noted the evaluation of new emergency management software to improve efficiency and response times during future emergencies.

With spring weather ramping up, Moore reminded citizens that Oklahoma is now entering peak tornado season.

“We are watching the potential for this weekend with severe weather coming up,” he said. “It’s that time of year. Everyone needs to stay prepared – now through May and into the first part of June.”

Moore also shared a significant announcement regarding the reopening of the Sooner-Safe Safe Room Rebate Program, a long-awaited development for many residents.

“That program is done by the state of Oklahoma, and it’s been closed the last couple of years,” Moore explained. “But it’s now reopened. You can apply through the state’s Department of Emergency Management website. It’s a lottery system that pulls from different areas of the state.”

Moore stressed that past applicants need to reapply due to system changes.

“If you were on there before, you’ve got to start over,” he said. “Hopefully, it won’t take 10 years like last time. It’s a whole revamped system, so definitely get signed up.”

Residents can visit https://oklahoma.gov/ oem for more information and to apply for the safe room rebate program.

As severe weather season peaks, Moore emphasized that his office will continue to monitor conditions closely and keep the public informed.

“We’ll keep going and keep everybody updated,” Moore said.

— New Business

Sheriff Eddy Rice spoke briefly about the law enforcement response over the weekend as a rodeo event brought in a large crowd to the Bob Arrington Arena.

According to the OCSO, a rap concert was added. Rice stated the Muscogee Nation did cancel that appearance which the sheriff said could have brought in some added individuals who were not here to enjoy the rodeo activities, but other events not associated with the rodeo itself.

“It could have been the people that were brought down here thinking they were going to that rap concert,” the sheriff said.

The commissioners went into executive session to address issues listed to conclude the meeting.