Atoka County Commissioners Meeting – That’s Not A Uniform
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The Atoka County Commissioners held their weekly meeting on Monday, December 7, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.
In attendance for the meeting were: Chairman Commissioner Shane Tomlinson, Vice-Chairman Commissioner Gilbert Wilson, Commissioner Marvin Dale, County Clerk Christie Henry, Sheriff Tony Head, Treasurer Kim Harkey, Emergency Management Director Derrick Mixon, Emergency Medical Services Director Randy Bryant, and from the Atoka County OSU extension office Harold Stephens.
The Board approved blanket purchases that included Pruitt’s Oil, Atoka Auto Parts, Rector’s Handy Mart, and Southeastern Truck and Trailer Parts Repair.
Chairman Commissioner turned the floor over to Sheriff Tony Head to discuss the state of the heaters in the jailhouse.
Two of the Jail’s five heaters stopped working the previous week, cutting the heat to four cell pods. Jail staff contacted Henderson’s for emergency repairs in the amount of $5,500.
While fixing the broken units, the technician checked the other three heaters and determined they needed repairs as well.
The technician advised Jail staff of the seriousness of the situation. The units have started to rust, and have the potential to leak carbon monoxide in the future if not fixed.
Henderson’s provided a quote to repair the three units in the amount of $7,000 to $7,500.
The Board advised the Sheriff to collect two additional bids, over the phone, to bring to next week’s meeting. For projects over $5,000 a total of three bids must be presented to the Board before a vote can be given.
The Commissioners approved the $5,500 emergency repairs done by Henderson’s to fix the two broken heaters.
Sheriff Head was given the go ahead to begin the purchasing process for two 2021 Dodge Special Service Vehicles at $30,078 each from John Vance Motors of Guthrie.
“Before Thanksgiving, a Deputy was involved in an accident that totaled one unit, and some of my other units are getting up there in mileage,” Head explained.
Sheriff Head will use the insurance reimbursement from the totaled vehicle to put towards the purchasing of the new units.
The Election Board, Health Department, County Clerk, and Treasurer’s monthly reports were approved. The October Commissioner proceedings were also approved for publication.
J.D. Mixon will be joining the Sheriff’s fleet of Deputies. Mixon was approved for a Deputy Commission by the Board.
The Commissioners also accepted a Jailer/Dispatcher commission for Ashly Eldridge in the Sheriff’s Office.
The Court Clerk’s list of officers for 2020-2021 was approved. Dorthene Turner will be requisitioning officer, and Sekret Henry will be receiving officer.
Harold Stephens with the Atoka County Oklahoma State University (OSU) extension office brought the contract between Atoka County and OSU to the meeting.
Earlier in the year, the Commissioners and Stephens worked out a budget for the extension office to keep operating in Atoka.
The Commissioners signed the contract that will be sent back to the campus.
County Clerk Christie Henry discussed the topic of uniforms for County District employees.
Henry expressed the need to set stricter guidelines in the County Handbook that outline specifically what each District will use as their uniform.
“I have to sign off on these purchases,” Henry stated, “And I’m starting to not be comfortable with these receipts. One pair of $80 jeans, and a vest; this is not a uniform.”
While there is no set uniform for County Workers, Henry explained that she is no longer comfortable signing off on employees being allowed a voucher to purchase whatever they wish instead of the Commissioners issuing them work clothes.
“I’m suggesting that the Commissioners either use a uniform service or decaled clothes, but be the same across the Board.” Henry said.
The Commissioners did not vote on an action as the agenda item was just for discussion.
Monthly Appropriations
The following is a list of monthly appropriations divided into some County Departments:
The General Fund received $120,889.62. The Use Tax received $30,280.67.
The Atoka County Hospital received $103,187.58 in sales tax.
The Sheriff will deposit $46,372.09 into the Department’s sales tax fund. The Sheriff received 27 cents in interest for the stray cattle fund.
The Highway Department has received $276,321.33.
District One will deposit $55,000 into personal service; $753.55 for travel; $11,831.30 for lease payments; and $794.89 into maintenance and operations. The District received $20,650 for the Goss School Road project, and $15,265.57 for the County Improvement Road and Bridge (CIRB) Motor Vehicle account.
District Two will deposit $34,000 into personal service; $753.55 for travel; $10,940.17 for lease payments; and $10,627.86 into maintenance and operations. The District received $426.46 for a Worker’s Compensation reimbursement, and $15,265.57 for the CIRB Motor Vehicle account.
District Three will deposit $45,000 into personal service; $753.55 for travel; $13,593.69 for lease payments; and $4,066.27 into maintenance and operations. The District received $17,333.33 from a REAP grant (Rural Economic Action Plan), and $15,265.57 for the CIRB Motor Vehicle account.