A prayer for strength and healing set the tone Monday morning as the Okmulgee County Board of County Commissioners gathered at the courthouse for their regular meeting, with the community’s ongoing recovery from the recent EF-3 tornado weighing heavily on the minds of officials.

“Everybody here in this building today has worked hard,” the invocation noted, asking for blessings for those still struggling after the storm and for the wisdom to make the right decisions moving forward.

While routine business filled much of the agenda, several discussions pointed to larger issues facing the county – from disaster recovery to addiction treatment and support for inmates transitioning back into society.

— Opioid grant proposal targets critical needs One of the most significant discussions of the morning centered on the county’s plan to apply for the 2026 Opioid Abatement Grant, a program that could bring $450,000 over three years to address addiction-related challenges in the local jail system.

Officials explained that the grant proposal focuses on three key initiatives designed to improve care and rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals.

The first addresses a particularly vulnerable group – pregnant women entering the jail who are receiving medication for opioid use disorder.

Officials noted that when such individuals enter custody without access to medication, they are often forced to abruptly detox.

“That’s really hard on the baby, and it’s really hard on them,” one official explained during the meeting.

The grant would allow the jail to provide medication that enables pregnant inmates to continue treatment safely during incarceration, helping prevent complications and supporting healthier outcomes for both mother and child.

The proposal also includes funding to restore support services through the Women’s Way program, which had previously been cut due to funding reductions.

In addition, officials are seeking funds to provide one-on-one therapy with licensed clinicians for inmates who are working toward recovery but need additional counseling support.

County leaders emphasized that although the population served may be relatively small, the impact could be substantial.

“This is another step in the right direction,” one participant said as commissioners voiced support for submitting the grant application.

The board ultimately approved the resolution authorizing the county to pursue the funding.

— Opioid settlement funds to support reentry programs Commissioners also approved a resolution allowing the county to use a small portion of opioid settlement funds to strengthen the jail’s reentry efforts.

Officials explained that when previously applying for grant funding for reentry services, the county received significantly less funding than requested, forcing the program to scale back.

As a result, certain critical needs remain unmet for inmates leaving incarceration.

Among the challenges are obtaining basic identification documents – such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, and other records – needed to secure employment, housing or treatment.

Transportation is another major barrier. Without reliable transportation, recently released individuals often struggle to attend recovery programs, medical appointments or counseling services.

The proposal approved Monday allocates $5,000 over the next year to help cover those expenses.

Officials emphasized that the funds would support practical steps that help individuals successfully transition back into the community.

— Tornado recovery efforts praised

Beyond program funding, the meeting also provided an update on the county’s ongoing response to the March tornado that devastated parts of the area, leaving homes destroyed and families struggling to rebuild.

Jeffrey Moore, director of Okmulgee County Emergency Management, praised the work of county crews, volunteers and community partners who mobilized quickly in the storm’s aftermath.

“Commissioner Ferreira did an outstanding job with his crew, along with a bunch of volunteers that showed up to help clean up people’s homes,” Moore noted.

In just about 10 days, crews were able to remove debris from most damaged homes and rights-ofway.

Officials said the effort involved coordination across multiple agencies, volunteer groups and residents working together.

“It was a lot of coordination with everybody,” the emergency management update explained, noting the importance of collaboration between county departments and community volunteers.

While much of the cleanup has been completed, work remains – particularly involving debris removal and disposal.

— Debris Disposal Challenges

One ongoing challenge is obtaining permits for debris disposal sites.

Emergency Management officials said state regulations have changed since previous disasters, creating delays in securing the necessary approvals.

County leaders are now working to identify alternative debris locations in each commissioner district to ensure faster response times in future emergencies.

Having multiple approved sites could prevent delays and allow debris removal to begin more quickly when storms strike.

Officials also noted that establishing agreements with private landowners in advance could help streamline the process.

“This time of year,” one commissioner remarked during the discussion, “it would be a good time to prepare,” recognizing that Oklahoma’s peak tornado season is approaching.

— Tax relief possible for total losses

Another important announcement during the meeting could bring some relief to families whose homes were destroyed.

County officials said structures deemed a total loss due to the tornado may be removed from the tax roll for the year.

Residents whose homes or buildings were completely destroyed are encouraged to contact the county assessor’s office.

However, officials explained that partial damage does not qualify under state rules.

“If it’s a total loss … have them come see me,” the assessor said, encouraging residents to come forward so the office can review their situation.

Alongside those discussions, commissioners addressed routine county matters during the meeting.

Items approved included:

• Officer reports

• Blanket purchase orders

• Employee forms

• Utility permits

• Private property agreements

• Claims related to the Creager Road project

• Payment of claims These items were part of the regular agenda for the March 16 meeting held at the Okmulgee County Courthouse.