Justin Jones was appointed to represent Council Ward 1, and was sworn in during the July 14 meeting of the Beggs City Council. Jones’ appointment to the council fills a vacancy created when former councilman Cody Burton resigned to accept a position as a full-time officer with the Beggs Police Department.

In other action, the council approved adopting settlement terms allowing the City of Beggs to continue to be an active beneficiary in the Emergency Medical Service, a Trust (EMSAT) in Okmulgee County. They also approved EMSAT financing the purchase of a 2025 Ford E-350 ambulance, not to exceed $250,000. The unit comes with an AEV box which houses the patient care area and is mounted on the ambulance’s chassis, refurbished Stryker cot system, bumper guard and appropriate lettering.

Mayor Roger Merrill explained the council was simply approving the indebtedness as a beneficiary of EM SAT, and that the beneficiaries are not obligated to the financing of the ambulance. He added the beneficiaries are only performing their statutory duty to consent to the indebtedness of EMSAT.

The council also approved a planning and zoning commission recommendation on new construction at 611 W. Main Street. The single-family, 2,000-square foot, brick home will be built by the Muscogee Creek Nation Department of Housing for tribal members, who will then be responsible for the home’s upkeep and maintenance. Although no specific date was mentioned, construction is expected to begin soon and be completed in approximately four months.

A city ordinance regarding the mayor’s bond amount was amended, increasing that amount from $5,000 to $50,000. That increased the yearly payment for that bond by an additional $157.50, and the ordinance became effective immediately.

Interim Police Chief Clifton Ramsey gave his monthly report to the council emphasizing the department is now providing coverage 24-hours a day, seven days a week due to increased staffing. He shared he has five full-time officers and two reserve officers. He also shared that the department is collecting school supplies for the upcoming school year. School supplies will be collected in a Chevy Tahoe, and once it’s filled, the supplies will be donated to Beggs Public Schools. He said the Boots and Badges Blood Drive will be in Council Chambers at City Hall on Thursday, July 31. Hours are 2-6 p.m.

The council then voted to go into executive session to discuss personnel issues. Once the council members reconvened following the session, they voted to approve hiring Cody Burton as a full-time Beggs Police officer; hiring John Palacio as assistant police chief; hiring Steve Barteau as city administrator; and accepting the resignation of Christopher Hurt from the police department.

At this time, council members voted to adjourn the council meeting, and convene as the Beggs Public Works Authority (BPWA.)

PWA Manager Taylor Hackney discussed increasing the price of water taps with the authority. He stated the cost of brass went up during COVID in 2020, and has continued to increase. He asked the authority to consider increasing 3/4” taps from $1,000 to $1,750; 1” taps to $2,050 and sewer taps from $500 to $750. After some discussion, the authority voted to approve the increases.

During his monthly report, Hackney explained a problem with the water and chemicals the first few days of July, saying it was discovered one pump was putting out only about one-half of the chemicals it should have been putting out. The situation was remedied, and he said “We are putting out the best water we’ve put out in eight years. We simply needed to flush out that water, as much as we could.” He concluded by adding “We’re headed in the right direction.”

He also shared that his department is continuing to locate and repair more water leaks. He said June’s water loss was down at 26.9 percent, and that he expects the July loss percentage to continue to decrease also.

Merrill praised Hackney saying “We are lucky to have Taylor. He’s doing a great job, and we’re really blessed to have this young man.”

Flood Plain Engineer W. B. “Bill” Smith advised the authority all the rain over the past few months has prevented any work being done on the dam.

He shared he and Merrill will be attending a function August 6 designed to introduce them to various funding entities. He added he would be taking his list of everything the city needs to have fixed in hopes of finding funding for those projects. Merrill supported Smith’s statement by emphasizing they would be “exploring funding opportunities diligently.”

The next Beggs City Council and Public Works Authority meetings are Monday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.