During its Aug. 11 meeting, the Beggs City Council approved the 2025-26 budget, along with entering into an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Okmulgee County Emergency Management, and took action on personnel issues.

While discussing the budget, City Administrator Steve Barteau pointed out each line item has increased 3%, which is about one-half of what the increase was in the 2024-2025 budget. He said plans call for the budget to be reviewed and adjusted each month. Ward 3 Councilwoman Cindy Hubbell stated she realized the budget is a “work in progress,” but “it looks like we’ve made some forward movement on it.” Barteau agreed, saying “Compared to last year, we’ve made an improvement.” In addition to approving the proposed budget, council members authorized publishing it on the City’s website and in the Okmulgee Times.

New Police Chief John Palacio reported on the status and activities of the police department. He reported there are three CLEET-certified officers including himself, and that low pay contributes to high employee turnover. He added one officer is currently attending police academy at the City’s expense, and because of that he signed a contract agreeing to remain with the Beggs Police Department for two years once he graduates from the academy. Palacio complimented officer Cody Burton for his assistance in locating a missing person, and preventing a possible sexual assault. He concluded his report saying in the previous 30 days, 32 citations were issued generating over $8,000.

Beggs Fire Chief Matt Cooperider reported the past month has been a relatively quiet month for his department. As he finished his report, City Attorney Angela Bonilla advised him she was making a formal request for the following information: All accounting for the past 4 fiscal years and the current fiscal year; current inventory list of all equipment belonging to the Beggs Fire Department; all activity reports filed with the State Fire Marshal in Oklahoma City for the past 5 years; the Beggs Fire Department Bylaws; records regarding the past 12 months regular business meetings, agenda, and a list of individuals in attendance; a current list of firefighters currently on the rolls and their contact information. Cooperider agreed to provide the requested information.

Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore was in attendance to share with the council the benefits of the City entering into an agreement with his agency. He stated the City is required to have its own emergency management department, or to contract with another agency. Cost to the City is about $4,500 annually. The council approved entering an Interlocal Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Management services with Okmulgee County Emergency Management.

The council then voted to go into executive session to discuss personnel issues. Following the approximate five-minute session, they voted to approve promoting Assistant Police Chief John Palacio to Chief; hiring Logan Smith as a full-time police officer, Kaden Stanton as part-time reserve officer, and re-hiring Autumn Shepardson as a dispatcher. They also approved the termination of police officer Michale Hendrix.

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

The short meeting included the monthly report from PWA Manager Taylor Hackney, and a report from City Flood Plain Engineer W. B. “Bill” Smith on the Financial Assistance Compact Team (FACT) meeting he, Mayor Roger Merrill, Barteau, and Hackney attended. FACT is groups involved in providing financial aid through compact agreements. Smith said they took the City’s “Christmas Wish List” of projects needing funding to the meeting, and have already received some positive communication. He added he, Merrill, Barteau, and Hackney will attend an Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD) workshop August 14. He said Beggs needs capital improvements totaling approximately $18.4 million. Merrill emphasized “every one of these projects are critical.”

The authority also voted to approve the same 2025-26 budget, and authorized publishing it. The next Beggs City Council and Public Works Authority meetings are Monday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.