PragueOK News

Annual City Wide Spring Clean-Up to begin the week of April 9th

During the City of Prague’s City Council meeting on February 13th, Mayor Bryan Benson was presented with a $20,000 check by Jennifer Rogers, OMPA Member Services Media Specialist, on behalf of the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority’s (OMPA) Board of Directors, recertifying Prague as a Competitive Utility.

OMPA’s Competitive Utility Program (CUP) is a voluntary program, started in 1995, that provides the 39 member cities with a way to evaluate and improve the operation of their electric utilities, and make them better able to compete in the electric utility industry. This program provides two types of reward – recognition in the form of certification, and financial rewards, which includes the check for $20,000. Prague was first certified as a Competitive Utility on February 1, 2004.

“For the citizens of Prague, CUP certification means that your community-owned electric utility is committed to excellence in its operation and delivery of safe, reliable and competitively priced electricity. Prague is here to be of service and help to all of its consumers,” said Jim Greff, City Manager.

The Authority is an organization that was created by Prague and other cities that owned and operated their municipal electric systems back in 1981. After experiencing several years of wholesale power increases, 26 municipal electric systems, including Prague, banded together to aggregate their power supply needs, and the Oklahoma legislature authorized the formation of OMPA. Membership in OMPA has grown to 39 cities and towns in Oklahoma.

Disaster News

Loans for Homeowners, Renters and Businesses of All Sizes

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Oklahoma Residents and Businesses Affected by the Earthquakes

Sacramento, CA –Low-interestfederaldisaster loans are available to Oklahoma residents and business owners affected by the earthquakes that began on November 5, 2011, announced U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen G. Mills. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following the November 30 denial of the state’s appeal for a major disaster declaration.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Lincoln County and the neighboring counties of Creek, Logan, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Payne and Pottawatomie.

“The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing Oklahomans with the most effective and customer-focused response possible, and we will be there to provide access to federal disaster loans to help finance recovery for residents and businesses affected by the disaster,” said Mills. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the disaster,” said SBA’s Oklahoma District Director Dorothy Overal. “Beginning Thursday, December 8, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help each individual complete their application,” Overal continued.

The center will be open on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size and aquaculture businesses, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.063 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for private, nonprofit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online via SBA’s secure Web site athttps://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling SBA at (800) 659-2955, emailingdisastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site atwww.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is February 6, 2012. The deadline to return economic injury applications is September 7, 2012.

For more information, visit SBA’s Web site atwww.sba.gov.

SBA Field Operations Center - West, P.O. Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841

Several earthquakes hit the Prague area causing widespread damage.

City of Prague City Manager Jim Greff was presented the Meritorious Service Award for outstanding contributions to local governments today by the Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma (MESO). The award was given at the annual meeting of MESO and the Oklahoma Municipal League in Tulsa. The award is given annually to an individual who has distinguished himself and his community by his service to the community as well as to local government.

Jim Greff was hired by the City of Prague to work in the street department in August of 1981 and was made street superintendent the following year. He later rose to supervise public works and in March of 2007 was named Acting City Manager. In November of that year the city council determined to have Jim as the permanent city manager and he celebrated 30 years with the City of Prague last month. During his time as street supervisor he also served in the fire department for 20 years.

As manager he has been instrumental in expansion of the airport, recruitment of Arctic Temp ( a manufacturer of walk-in refrigeration units), the remodeling of the building now housing Arctic Temp, and recreation improvements including equestrian trails and an RV park.

Jim was a leader in the acquisition and development of a community building. The acquisition of the former Vision Bank and its remodeling resulted in a new home for the city administration, the municipal court, the local Red Cross, the Chamber of Commerce, the Prague Main Street program, Emergency management, as well as community meeting rooms and facilities. A twenty unit senior housing project was completed in conjunction with elimination of dilapidated housing. These actions have all been positive for the community and Jim was a driving force in having these accomplished.

Jim has long been active in the Chamber of Commerce and oversees the Christmas in the Park program, he is on the Main Street board and the board of COEDD, the area wide association of governments. Jim also is on the 911 Board, President of Friends of the Library, is active in Kiwanis and Calvary Way Church, and participates on the Kolache Festival Board.

Jim is a person constantly active in helping to create a better city in Prague, Oklahoma, and has shown the impact a person can have on a community by his constant efforts.

In presenting the award, Pawhuska City Manager Paul McAlexander said, “With all the pressures of being a city manager, it’s hard to find time and energy to commit to your community. Jim seems to have that well of energy and drive that results in positive action within his community in dozens of ways. He is a credit to our profession.”

MESO is the trade association of over 100 cities and towns that distribute electricity and natural gas services to over 500,000 people. Created in 1971, MESO provides information services to these cities as well as training, engineering, and regulatory services.

The City of Prague now offers the convenience of online payment for utility bills and court citations.