Atoka County Commissioners Meeting – Wilson Upgrades Fire Department
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The Atoka County Commissioners meeting was held Monday, June 29, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.
Vice-Chairman Gilbert Wilson was absent from the meeting.
In attendance were: Chairman Shane Tomlinson, Commissioner Marvin Dale, County Clerk Christie Henry, Sheriff Tony Head, Treasurer Kim Harkey, and Emergency Management Director Derrick Mixon.
There were no blanket purchase orders at this meeting. The districts have limited spending for the end of Fiscal Year 2020.
The commissioners were provided a resolution that would remove Sandra Washington from the Atoka County EMS Board. After approving Washington’s removal, Jack Walker was appointed to fill the vacancy. There was no letter of resignation from Washington.
Temporary appropriations for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 was approved. This will allow the courthouse to begin working with 85% of their yearly budget.
County Clerk Christie Henry was given the go ahead to publish a Public Notice for citizens of Atoka County who are owed money by the county. Any outstanding debt must be claimed within the allotted time or be declared null and void.
The lease agreement for the Farris Senior/Community Center has been renewed for another year.
Yearly contracts for the juvenile detention centers have been approved. Pittsburg County Regional Juvenile Detention Center houses minors for $38.97 per day. Community Works, LLC, houses juveniles for $41 per day.
The Chickasaw Bridge on Miller Road in District One will be receiving work in the future.
Scott Sullivan from the Wilson Fire Department spoke to the commissioners about a project the fire house was working on.
The Wilson Fire Department Board approved a bid from John McCollum of Coalgate in the amount of $10,800, plus an additional $4,000 for drainage work, to lay a concrete slab next to the fire station.
The fire station plans to update and expand in the future.
Using a Forestry Service Grant, the Fire Department Board paid $4,949 towards the total of $14,800. Southeastern Electric Co-op moved a powerline free of charge.
The district rural water crews moved water lines. The initial cost would have been $1,700, but the water district lowered the price to $1,000 which the fire department paid.
Sullivan approached Henry on Monday, June 22, 2020 with the purchase orders and plans for the fire station.
Any improvements made to a public building that exceed $5,000 must be approved by the Commissioner Board. The Commissioners must be made aware so that funds can be set aside.
Henry reeducated the Wilson Fire Department about purchasing procedures.
“It’s becoming a problem,” Henry told the Board. “Not just Wilson, but others are coming to me with POs (purchase orders) after the fact…you can’t put the county in debt.”
Henry explained that the Wilson Fire Department usually followed procedural guidelines. Sullivan advised the Board of the misunderstanding that the Fire Department Board operated under a $15,000 ceiling.
Henry has spoken with the Fire Chief’s Association and sent out letters reminding departments of the proper channel of approval. She is hoping to have a class with the departments to explain the procedure process.
The Commissioners approved the purchase order from the Wilson Fire Department.