Atoka aldermen approve budget amendment, earlier meeting time, $6.05 million pump-station contract and other measures

Atoka’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted on multiple administrative and capital items during its Feb. 18 meeting, approving a first-reading budget amendment, changing the regular meeting start time to 6:30 p.m., awarding a $6,047,720 construction contract to Chris Hill Construction, and approving a settlement in Pelletier v. Atoka.

The board approved the consent agenda, then voted 4-0 on individual items brought forward. The board also promoted Deputy Town Recorder Rachel Corcorubias to town recorder effective upon the retirement of Debbie Pickard; Pickard’s last day is March 14. The board adopted resolutions to update authorized check signers and to issue an employee credit card to the incoming recorder (the card limit was discussed as $4,000 and described as restored to that level).

Why it matters: the contract award covers a multi-million-dollar upgrade to two wastewater pump/lift stations paid in part with ARPA funds that must be spent by September 2026; the meeting-time change responds to resident feedback about accessibility; and the personnel and administrative changes update town operations ahead of the recorder’s retirement.

Most important actions

- Promotion of town recorder: The board moved to promote Deputy Town Recorder Rachel Corcorubias to town recorder upon Debbie Pickard’s retirement. Motion by Alderman Harbor; second by Alderman Schafer. Outcome: approved (4-0). Pickard’s official last day was stated as March 14 and the board said it will recognize her at the next meeting.

- Budget amendment (ordinance, first reading): The board approved first consideration of an ordinance amending the fiscal-year 2025 general fund budget to reflect a donation previously discussed by staff. Motion to approve by Alderman Schafer; second by Alderman Harbor. Outcome: ordinance passed on first reading (4-0).

- Change of regular meeting time (ordinance, first reading): The board approved first consideration of an ordinance amending the municipal code (section 1-101) to change regular meeting start time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The item followed public comment about earlier and later start preferences. Motion by Alderman Deitchy; second by Alderman Leitz. Outcome: ordinance passed on first reading (4-0).

- Check-signers resolution: The board adopted a resolution replacing Debbie Pickard with Rachel Corcorubias as an authorized check signer. Motion by Alderman Schafer; second by Alderman Schafer. Outcome: adopted (4-0).

- Employee credit card resolution: The board approved a resolution authorizing an employee credit card for the incoming town recorder, Rachel Corcorubias; the board discussed that the $4,000 limit “has been restored.” Motion by Alderman Schafer; second by Alderman Leitz. Outcome: adopted (4-0).

- Bid award for Main Street pump station and Kearns lift station upgrades: Two bids were received: ABES Contracting ($5,225,000) and Chris Hill Construction ($6,047,720). After a prior work session and staff recommendation, the board awarded the contract to Chris Hill Construction. Motion by Alderman Harbor; second by Alderman Schafer. Outcome: awarded (4-0). Staff noted the project is under a tight ARPA spending deadline (September 2026) and cited concern about contractor experience on similarly scoped projects.

- Settlement: The board approved a proposed itemized settlement agreement in Pelletier v. Atoka after the board had reviewed details in a prior executive session and work session. Motion by Alderman Harbor; second by Alderman Deitchy. Outcome: approved (4-0).

Additional context and next steps

Town staff said they expect further budget amendments later in the fiscal year to account for departmental changes and reimbursements; staff reported a $300,000 sewer-fund reimbursement that moved that fund out of a deficit position. The board scheduled a budget work session for Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. to discuss department priorities and to review possible changes to employee insurance options.

Votes at a glance (official outcomes)

- Consent agenda (items A–H): approved (motion: Alderman Harbor; second: Alderman Deitchy). Vote recorded as unanimous among members present. - Promote Deputy Town Recorder Rachel Corcorubias to Town Recorder: approved (motion: Alderman Harbor; second: Alderman Schafer). Vote: 4-0. - Ordinance amending FY25 general fund budget (first reading, exhibit J/J/J clarified in packet): approved on first reading (motion: Alderman Schafer; second: Alderman Harbor). Vote: 4-0. - Ordinance changing regular meeting start time to 6:30 p.m. (first reading): approved on first reading (motion: Alderman Deitchy; second: Alderman Leitz). Vote: 4-0. - Resolution amending authorized check signers (replace Debbie Pickard with Rachel Corcorubias): adopted (motion: Alderman Schafer; second: Alderman Schafer). Vote: 4-0. - Resolution authorizing an employee credit card for Rachel Corcorubias (same limit as outgoing recorder; discussed as $4,000): adopted (motion: Alderman Schafer; second: Alderman Leitz). Vote: 4-0. - Bid award for pump and lift station upgrades to Chris Hill Construction, $6,047,720: approved (motion: Alderman Harbor; second: Alderman Schafer). Vote: 4-0. - Approval of settlement agreement in Pelletier v. Atoka: approved (motion: Alderman Harbor; second: Alderman Deitchy). Vote: 4-0.

The board indicated it will recognize outgoing Town Recorder Debbie Pickard at the next meeting and will implement the personnel and administrative updates before Pickard’s stated retirement date.