Commissioners approve $16k settlement with City of Okemah
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The Okfuskee County Board of County Commissioners met Oct. 20 with Chairman James Yandell, Vice Chairman Randy Stubblefield, and Commissioner Mike Yocham present. County Clerk Teresa Harelson recorded the minutes.
Shannon Clark with the Okmulgee County Criminal Justice Authority met with the board to discuss differences between a Title 60 Public Trust and a Title 19 Jail Trust. No action was taken.
At 9:42 a.m., commissioners entered executive session to discuss Okfuskee County v. City of Okemah. Assistant District Attorney Ray Penny, Sheriff Logan Manshack, and Undersheriff R.L. Wilbourn were also present. The board reconvened at 10:09 a.m., with Chairman Yandell announcing that no action had been taken while in session.
Following executive session, commissioners authorized ADA Penny to accept an informal settlement offer from the City of Okemah in the amount of $16,368.35. The amount resolves a lawsuit filed by the county last December seeking reimbursement from the city for CLEET training and salary costs associated with former deputy Brandon Foster.
According to court filings, Foster left the Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office in August 2024 and was immediately hired as a patrol officer for the Okemah Police Department after completing basic police certification that had been paid for by the county. The county sought repayment of $16,727.15 under state statute, which allows recovery of training costs when an officer leaves within one year of certification to join another agency.
Next on the agenda was a report from Emergency Management Director Jim Bill Copeland, who stated he had received valuable information from the Department of Labor during a recent safety seminar and said he was preparing FEMA quarterly reports. No action was taken.
Sheriff Manshack then advised the board that staffing remained tight and that the department continued to face vehicle issues. No action was taken.
Commissioners approved several incoming checks, including $28,033.79 from Hughes County for inmate housing; $9,600 each from Bearden and Weleetka Public Schools for school resource officers; and $262.52 from County Claims of Oklahoma for disability reimbursement.
The board tabled awarding bids for reinforced concrete boxes and box culverts, noting the item was not on the agenda. The commissioners also reviewed and approved the Court Clerk’s September monthly report of $210,085.
Commissioners also approved two resolutions for sheriff’s department donations: $4,000 from RWE Clean Energy LLC and $750 from Platinum Cross Welding Inc., both designated for departmental use.
Three Circuit Engineering District 4 special transportation items were approved, including an amended funding request and closeout for District 2 and a new request for District 3.
A detention transportation claim for $71.75 was approved for September, along with several blanket purchase orders and a list of claims across various county departments.
During new business, David Hinkle with the Central Oklahoma Economic Development District reminded the board that REAP grant applications are due Oct. 31 and offered to assist Jim Bill Copeland with applications for the IXL and Haydonville Fire Departments. No action was taken.
With no other business on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned at 10:56 a.m.