The Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners met Monday, as the board moved quickly through a series of agenda items concerning employee changes, equipment purchases, road work and community safety.
— Routine Business & Personnel Updates
Minutes from the previous Oct. 16 meeting were approved, followed by the acceptance of officers’ reports. Commissioners then reviewed and approved a list of new full-time hires across multiple districts and departments. Among those approved were Joshua McCoy for District 2; Logan Grisby and Jeremy Graham for District 1; and Emma Fulton for District 1.
Commissioners voted to accept Invitation to Bid #7 for printing election ballots for the county – for a 12-month period.
They approved the use of Use Tax funds to support Emergency Management operations. This will assist with ongoing public safety needs across the county.
— District Equipment & Purchases Commissioners also approved a lease-purchase agreement for District 1, as well as two purchase agreements for District 2, involving heavy equipment purchases from Yellowhouse Machinery, funded through the county’s revolving fund grant.
Additionally, a revision was approved to the County Road Machinery and Equipment list for District 2, allowing updates to the county’s official inventory. A surplus declaration and disposal resolution were also addressed, ensuring accurate accounting of aging or redundant equipment.
Appropriations transfers were approved as needed, and commissioners also moved forward with payment of county claims.
— Emergency Management Report Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Moore reported that his office recently donated four gas meters to the Okmulgee Fire Department on behalf of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The donation was made using leftover LEPC funds to support local safety needs.
Moore also noted that while severe weather passed through the county over the weekend, no damage was reported. “There was some rotation in the clouds,” Moore explained, “but fortunately no tornadic activity touched down.” He also reported that new hire safety training sessions had been completed and that he remains in contact with the Department of Labor regarding follow-up from a previous audit and new regulations expected to affect counties statewide next year.
— New Business: Private Road Improvement Proposal
Under new business, District 1 Commissioner Ernie Ferreira brought forward a proposal regarding a private citizen-funded road improvement project. Ferreira explained that a landowner, working near a property where a new wedding venue with a helipad is under construction, volunteered to provide labor and materials to raise a nearby road by about one foot using shell from his own pit.
Ferreira emphasized that while the county would not be funding or paving the project, it would assist by installing a single county-owned tin horn (culvert) where necessary. All other driveway access points and culverts will be the responsibility of individual landowners.
“This is on a statutory section line road that already exists,” Ferreira said, noting that the county has previously allowed similar arrangements where private citizens contribute resources for the benefit of local access. Commissioners discussed the legal and procedural aspects and agreed to move forward, provided all corrections and agreements are properly documented.
The next regular meeting of the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners is expected to take place Monday, Oct. 27, at the Okmulgee County Courthouse. All meetings are open to the public.
