Wood County Commissioners Court

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Meeting in regular session Friday, October 1, Wood County Commissioners held a public hearing to seek input from residents on establishing county-wide speed limits on County Roads. Commissioners approved three agreements with local government entities and volunteer fire departments. The members of the court also recognized Jewell McCalla, Hawkins, for her long and dedicated service to the greater Wood County community.
After hearing from three citizens regarding the need for speed limits on County Roads, Commissioners established a county-wide speed limit of 40-miles per hour on all county roads and 30-miles per hour on all county-maintained roads within subdivisions in the unincorporated areas of the county. The vote was 4-1 with Precinct-3 Commissioner Roger Pace dissenting. Pace stated that he favored a speed limit of 45-mph on county roads.
Emergency Management Coordination Agreements were approved with all six of Wood County's incorporated cities-Alba, Hawkins, Mineola Quitman, Winnsboro and Yantis. The six cities agreed to contribute a total of $19,419.00 to support the 2011 emergency management program as directed by the county. The City of Hawkins' contribution is $2,136. The contributed amounts are pro-rationed on estimated 2009 populations of each city.
Library contracts were also approved with four city libraries, namely Hawkins, Quitman, Winnsboro and Alba. As a result of the agreement, each library receives $7,000 to help offset FY-2011 operating expenses.
Fire Departments serving various geographical areas of the county also received allocations to support emergency services from Commissioners Court. Holly Lake VFD received $27,667 and Hawkins $37,347. Others were: Alba $33,737; Coke/PG $26,887; Hainesville $31,347; Lands End $24,591; Mineola $47,363; Ogburn $27,137; Perryville $25,953; Quitman $46,497; Winnsboro $38,687 and Yantis $32,787. A total of $400,000 is allocated to the VFDs with a distribution formula determined by the Wood County VFD Chiefs' Association.
Hawkins' native Jewell McCalla was recognized by the Court for years of community service as a teacher and volunteer with numerous organizations, including the Wood County Historical Commission (WCHC). McCalla is credited with spearheading the effort that resulted in the Texas State Legislature naming Hawkins "The Pancake Capital of Texas." She was presented with a plaque from the WCHC.
A burn ban order was considered and tabled by commissioners. It is the fifth consecutive meeting that the fire index level was slightly above the limit recommended for consideration.
In other action the court approved:
- a two-week County payroll of $291,730.57.
- employee and family health care claims of $77,398.94.
- claims and payments totaling $268,440.91.
- opening three bids for Medical Provider Proposals for the Wood County Jail. The bidding groups were identified as Med One; Southern Health Partners, and Correctional Health Care Management.
- advertising standard trunk line cards (surplus) on E-Bay.
- numerous fiscal year-end budget line item transfers and budget amendments.
- Wood County Treasurer's appeal for release of FHLB securities (maturing 9/24/09) held at Bank Texas.
- advertising for re-bid for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. (Previous bid winner declined contract).
- Hot check fund, asset forfeiture audit report, asset forfeiture budget and hot check budget for FY 2011 as presented by the Wood County Criminal District Attorney.
- grant of $2,519.75 in support for Meals-on-Wheels in Wood County.
- (corrected) meeting dates for the court for FY2011 and payday schedule for FY 2011.
- participation in the Indigent Defense Grant Program FY-2011 administered by the State of Texas.
- departmental compensation schedule and the compensation classification schedule.
- retirement of "Dorka," a canine deputy with the WCSO.
- by unanimous vote the agreement between the Wood County Industrial Commission and North Star Destination Strategies.
Personnel actions include:
- Samantha Sellers and Rusty Owens, deputy sheriffs Grade XI, Step 2, WCSO, $17.02/hour.
- Robert Benjamin Mayberry, separation/end of temporary work, Pct-4 lake, $9.00 hour.
- Teresa Thorwald, new hire, secretary-I, Wood County CSCD $22,000 annually.
- Vickie Weatherford, part-time clerk, WC Tax Assessor-Collector, $8.50/hour.
The next regular meeting of the Wood County Commissioners Court will be Friday, October 15, 2010 at 10 a.m. A special meeting of the court can be called with 72-hour public notice.