An updated disaster recovery plan for both the Sequoyah County Clerk’s Office and the Sequoyah County Commissioners were approved last Monday at the commissioners’ weekly meeting, crucial strategies for ensuring the continuity of essential services and the protection of vital records in the event of a disaster.

The plans, which outline procedures for responding to various disruptive events, include steps for data backup, temporary relocation and communication with relevant parties. The plan also addresses the acquisition of emergency funding and periodic review for updates and testing.

Key aspects of the plan include:

• Data backup and recovery — Procedures for retrieving backup copies of computer data and microfilm

• Temporary relocation — Steps for relocating operations to a temporary location, including coordinating with the organization where operations will be set up and moving salvaged items

• Communication — Emphasis of the importance of notifying the public and establishing communication channels with relevant agencies and stakeholders

• Funding — Steps to obtain emergency funding from governmental agencies, if available

The updated disaster recovery plans cover various county offices, including the commissioners office; county districts 1, 2 and 3; and the county court clerk’s office.

The plan should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure contact information, equipment inventory, vendor information and employee rosters are current. Testing the plan, if feasible, helps identify potential flaws.

A copy of the plan is stored offsite at a secure location, such as a bank or county barn, that is accessible to the emergency response team.

In other business, the commissioners approved paying 12 invoices from fiscal year 2024-25 with fiscal year 2025-26 funds in the amount of $8,476.35.

The commissioners also approved, contingent upon approval by Assistant District Attorney Andy Williams, a county road closing agreement between Jentech Construction and Sequoyah County District 2.

The commissioners also approved the following appointments:

• Julie Haywood and Daniel Richards as requisitioning agents for Roland Fire Department • James Dunn and Cody Click as receiving agents for Roland Fire Department

• Daniel Richards as tax board representative and James Dunn as alternate for Roland Fire Department

• Robbie Gurloch as tax board representative and Grant Brown as alternate fore Marble City Fire Department • Dr. William Anderson as a member of the board of trustees for Northeastern Health System-Sequoyah The commissioners meet at 10 a.m. Mondays in the county courthouse.