At the Checotah City Council held on Monday, June 10, a public hearing was held on the 2024-2025 FY Budget but there were no public comments. So the council approved Resolution 2024-06-10(a) approving the City of Checotah budget for FY 20242025 and approved Resolution 2024-0610(b) policy for Lapsing of Appropriations at the end of 2023-2024 FY for the City of Checotah.

Council members present were Councilman Earnest Myers, Councilman Jay Hayes, Councilman Ronnie Brinsfield, Councilman William Wiles, Councilman Tony Fields, Councilwoman Jodi Greenleaf and Councilman Mike Key. Councilman Joey Marion was absent.

After months of deliberations, council finally approved the Mutual Operating Understanding (MOU) between McIntosh County, the City of Eufaula and the City of Checotah regarding emergency communication services.

While city council declared the physical address of 611 NW 5th a nuisance due to dilapidation to be torn down, the council approved a lease agreement with Carman Rainbolt to rent the space where his office burnt down years ago. Where there is only a slab of concrete left now, the city hopes to make a downtown seating area with some tables, chairs and possible benches for the community and visitors. The mayor believes this would make a great outside area on Gentry where one could have a cup of coffee or take a lunch break and get some needed sunshine.

The council also:

• Approved Workers Compensation with OMAG in the amount of $91,250

• Approved the contract with Options in the amount of $962.50 per month for the FY 2024-2025

• Approved payment to TLS Group, Inc. in the amount of $49,475

• Amended the city’s handbook concerning overtime pay and compensatory time to meet FLSA standards and cap compensatory time at 120 hours for all employees

• Approved the requirement of all non-exempt employees to clock in and out Awarding bids for future city projects were tabled and Councilman Jay Hayes informed the council that the City was denied the EV Charging Station grant.

However, the application was now open to reapply.

At the Public Works Authority (PWA) meeting that followed the City Council Meeting, trustees approved Resolution 2024-06-10(a) approving the Checotah Public Works Authority FY 2024-2025 Budget and approved Resolution 2024-06-10(b) for Lapsing of Appropriations of end of 20232024 FY for Checotah Public Works Authority.

PWA also:

• Approved Workers Compensation with OMAG in the amount of $91,250.

• Approved Budget Amendment in the amount of $245,409.44

• Accepted OWRBARPA money

• Action taken to amend handbook to meet FLSA standards and cap compensatory time at 120 hours for all employees and all nonexempt employees must clock in and out No action was taken on the agreement with IOOF and no action was taken on accepting bids for future projects.

Trustee Jay Hayes request that the trustees re-visit an investment policy.