The Okmulgee County Commissioners convened for their regular meeting on Monday, with a key item on the agenda being the allocation of 781 funds, a non-competitive grant totaling $128,076 for Okmulgee County. These funds can be used for various community programs, including mental health, substance abuse treatment, and other social services.

Misty Bilby, Site Director for Adult Services at CREOKS, and Amanda Hammack, Director of Substance Abuse at CREOKS, were present to discuss the organization’s interest in serving as a vendor for the 781 funds application pro- cess.

“We would love to help you with that application, and we would love to strategize with you on how we could best support the community with it,” Bilby told the commissioners.

After hearing the proposal, Commissioner Erik Zoellner made a motion to approve allowing Creoks to serve as a vendor for the 781 funds application. The motion was subsequently approved by the board.

In other financial matters, the board approved the payment of claims, including one for the Governmental Building Authority, as well as the following blanket purchase orders: District 2 Cintas for $700, RPI for $1,000; Nuyaka Fire Department – RPI for $1,000, S&H Auto for $1,000.

The commissioners also approved the transfer of appropriations for the final rollover of the previous fiscal year’s budget.

Three employee acknowledgments were approved: one fulltime employee in District 1, and in District 3, one full-time employee, and one employment cessation. Six submitted utility permits were also approved, all from District 1 with RWD #6.

Lastly, the commissioners heard the weekly emergency management and inventory reports.

Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore updated the commissioners on the department’s recent activities, including retrieving a water buffalo, attending FEMA meetings on tornado recovery, and responding to floodplain issues. Moore also discussed the county’s first attempt at a 406 mitigation program to improve infrastructure after disasters. For full details of the EM Director’s report, please see Friday’s edition.

Jamie Steph, Assistant for the Board of County Commissioners, who was tasked with providing inventory reports in recent months, noted that several departments have now submitted their inventory summary reports. She added that she will be working with the County Clerk’s office this week to compare the inventories and ensure all items are properly accounted for.

Commissioner Zoellner turned to Dave Shanahan, a retired accountant who was in attendance and asked for advice on how to help move the inventory process along.

“Cooperation between the departments and the clerk’s office is key to getting this inventory process right,” said Shanahan, emphasizing that each department should take responsibility for verifying their inventory records with the clerk’s office, rather than relying solely on Steph to manage the process.

Following the reports, the meeting was adjourned.