Wood County Commissioners Court
Court opposes proposed Trans Texas Corrider
By JOHN SPARKS

 

Meeting in regular session Friday, May 2, the Wood County Commissioners Court adopted a resolution opposing the current Trans Texas Corridor development proposal, asking for more public input on the issue and urging the state legislature to amend the current bill before it is implemented. The court also approved interlocal agreements between the county and two school districts for use of county voting equipment and resources for local elections and gave Wood County Judge Bryan Jeanes the authority to approve several other such agreements from area school districts and cities.

Citing a number of problems with plans for the consideration of and the planned development of the Trans Texas Corridor, the Wood County Commissioners Court asked for further legislative intervention and additional public input before the proposed massive new transportation corridor plan is implemented. Among the issues cited in the resolution are the “sweeping authority” granted to the Texas Transportation Commission; the massive amout of land involved (a quarter-of-a-mile in many areas); negative impacts on local economies; splitting of ranches and farms as well as fire department/emergency services districts, uprooting of wildlife; the massive cost of $184 billion and creating double taxation on Texas taxpayers; inadequate analysis of the economic impact on the existing IH-35/IH-30 corridors; excessive authority to condemn and acquire private property, and concentrating transportation resources to a corridor which would be especially vulnerable to terrorist attack and disruption.
 

The Wood County resolution urges reconsideration of an alternative plan to further develop existing transportation resources on right-of-ways already in existence along I-35 and I-30.
 

Dawn Goldthorn, Wood County Elections Administrator sought approval of two interlocal agreements between the county and two school districts (Yantis and Winnsboro) for the use of voting equipment and other county resources for the May 10 school board trustee elections.
 

In anticipation of additional requests for election assistance from four more entities Goldthorn asked that Judge Bryan Jeanes be granted the authority to approve the interlocal agreements from cities and other school distircts holding elections on May 10.
 

In other action the court approved:
- payroll of $244,091.32.
- employee/dependent health claims of $21,858.86.
- claims of $386,862.23.
- a proclamation designating May as “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.”
- an annual contract with APET for animal control and care.
- annual support for Wood Soil and Water Conservation District #444 ($1,000).
- maintenance contract with AGA Moriah for two system printers ($1,440/year).
- Constable, Precinct-1 monthly report.
- renewal options for oil sand and road oil with primary and secondary suppliers.
- extension of existing bulk fuel contract with Winkle Oil Company for one year with three year extension options.
- accepting continued viedo surveillance equipment and services through Enterprise Secutity Solutions of Texas for the Justice Center/Sheriff’s office ($19,337).
There were no personnel actions taken at the meeting.
 

The next regular meeting of the Wood County Commissioners Court will be Friday, May 16 at 10 a.m. A special meeting of the court can be called with 72-hours public notice.