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Haskell County votes to continue pursuing 2020–2021 disaster-assistance documentation despite state suggestion to withdraw
Summary
After staff explained missing documentation for 2020 and 2021 flood-related state-assistance requests and reported regional coordinators suggested withdrawal, the commission voted to continue pursuing documents needed for possible reimbursement; the vote was 2–1.
County staff presented two packets showing the county's outstanding state-assistance requests to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management for flood incidents in 2020 and 2021 and explained the state was likely to ask the county to withdraw if adequate reimbursement paperwork was not submitted. Staff detailed district-level findings: District 1 had identified records; District 2 had no disaster repair in those years; District 3 still lacked documentation. Staff said some previously submitted materials did not meet reimbursement criteria and additional historical records were being requested to support claims.
Staff reported regional coordinators had "suggested to remove ourselves from this request" because of the time elapsed but said that no formal demand letter had been issued. Staff emphasized that the decision to withdraw or continue rested with the commissioners and noted that the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management had indicated withdrawal would not carry a formal penalty.
Commissioners debated the options. One member said they would be "in favor of canceling and quit wasting their time," while others argued that staff had invested substantial hours and some district records appeared supportable. After discussion a motion was made to continue researching and pursuing documentation; the roll-call vote recorded Clark McCleary and Billy Cloud voting "Yes" and Larry Watson voting "No," and the motion to continue passed 2–1.
Staff said the county could either proactively send withdrawal letters or continue the document search; no final withdrawal letters were submitted at the meeting. The county clerk and staff agreed to coordinate follow-up requests for historical payment or repair records from other offices. Commissioners did not adopt any policy changes at this meeting; they directed staff to continue research and return with additional documentation or a future recommendation.
