Meeting in regular session Friday, February 23 the Wood County Commissioners Court held preliminary discussions regarding the establishment of a bail bond board for Wood County. Commissioners also approved an out-of-state travel advance for an assistant district attorney to attend the National College of District Attorneys prosecuting homicide cases.

Suggesting that “about 90 percent of the bail bonds written in Wood County are unenforceable” Assistant District Attorney, Tom Burton said “a bail bond board could mean a huge increase in revenues to the county.” Under the current procedure in Wood County, the sheriff is responsible for qualifying bail bondsmen and for collecting bond forfeitures. According to Burton, the sheriff’s office does not have the resources or time to properly qualify and track forfeitures. That would be the responsibility of the bail bond board. Counties with a population of 110,000 and more are required to have such a board. Commissioners will schedule a workshop to weigh the advantages of a bond board.
 

With at least two pending murder trials in Wood County, Assistant Criminal Attorney Tom Burton will be attending a national college for attorneys prosecuting homicide cases to be held in San Francisco. Registration for the three-day session is $500 and Burton estimated expenses at $1,150.
 

Bids were opened for the possible purchase of a dump truck for the Precinct-4 road & bridge crew. Five bids were received, ranging from $55,853 to $62,410. Because the bids represented at least four different models, equipped differently and with varying warranties, Commissioner Jerry Galloway asked for time to review the bids in more detail.
 

Commissioners also approved:
- Claims of $284,178.86.
- Two-week payroll of $242,500.23.
- Two-week employee/family health claims of $237,425.31.
- Wood County Historic Commission Annual Report for 2006.
- Appointment of 26 members to the Wood County Historical Commission for 2007-2008 terms.
- Appointment of Ladd Thompson, Mineola, to the board of directors of the Wood County Industrial Commission.
- Setting date of March 23 for a public hearing for the cancellation of Bala Addition (Precinct-2).
- Interlocal agreement with the City of Winnsboro (Precinct 4).
- Interlocal agreement with the City of Quitman (Precinct 1).
- Release and pledge of securities in amount of $610,000.
- Resolutions for 1) Tex Pool participation and designated representatives, and 2) Upper Sabine Valley Solid Waste District designated representatives.
- Resolution for order of exemption requirement for county-owned vehicles for change of officials.
Personnel actions approved, were:
- Kacie Jo Sherrard, from temporary deputy clerk to part-time deputy clerk, District Clerk, $8.25/hour
- Leslie Ann Brady, from temporary deputy clerk to part-time deputy clerk, District Clerk, $9.00/hour.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Wood County Commissioners Court is Friday, March 9 at 10 a.m. A special meeting or workshop of the court can be called with 72-hour public notice.