Wood County Commissioners Court
Court OKs grant completion; accepts WCIC annual report (June 29th)
BY JOHN SPARKS

Meeting Friday, June 29 in regular session, Wood County Commissioners were presented with a near-final completion report for a Texas Capital Fund grant for Nestle Waters (Ozarka), which provided funding for electrical utility capital improvements to the Wood County spring water bottling plant. The court also received and accepted the 2006-2007 annual report from the Wood County Industrial Commission.
The five-year Texas Capital grant (2002-2007) in the original amount of $1,000,000 was devoted almost entirely to improvements to electrical service to the southeastern Wood County spring water bottling plant owned by Nestle Waters. The final report indicates $808,000 was expended to make the necessary improvements while another $132,000 of the grant was applied to engineering services for the improvements. Administrative costs for the grant totaled $45,200, payable to Gary Traylor and Associates. Action taken by the court also sets up citizen grievance process and procedures.

WCIC Annual Report highlights
 

The annual report of the Wood County Industrial Commission was submitted by Freda Madsen, chairman and Gary McKinley, executive director. Highlights include: relocation of WCIC office to Wood County Airport: new business attractions to Winnsboro where “quality of place” initiatives, establishment of revolving loan fund, a new and effective web site promise more business and industrial growth for the city; economic benefits to Lake Fork area communities and businesses and Wood County from newly-established “Toyota Texas Bass Classic; Burnett Building complex in Yantis, with coming additions to retail community; official opening of Mineola Nature Preserve and the nearby Best Western Motel, and the successful completion of the new Hawkins Downtown City Park and new initiatives at the Youth Athletics facilities as well as the establishment of a fund set aside to acquire land for an industrial park.
 

Commissioners also heard an appeal by Louise Gilbreath, Holly Lake Ranch, regarding public safety concerns resulting from the 18-wheeler truck traffic on FM-2869. A death resulted in a recent accident on the road involving a passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler. Judge Jeanes reported on meetings of highway, county and Ozarka officials leading to improvements to the signage to the Ozarka plant. He advised Gilbreath that work is expected soon to develop a right turn lane for trucks entering the plant from northbound FM-2869. He also advised her of a resolution being considered at this session of the court on the matter.
 

Bids were opened for timber to be sold from 17-acre a property in Precinct-3. Three bidders responded, George Hayes, Hullman Forest Products and KZK. The bids will be reviewed by Commissioner Roger Pace who will present a motion of acceptance at the July 13 meeting of the court. Bids ranged from $35-to-$15 per ton for pine and from $24.10 to $12.50 for hardwood. Pulp bids ranged from $14-to-$5 per ton.
 

In other action, the Commissioners approved:
- Payment of claims in the amounts of $296,848 and $112,027.
- Payroll in the amount of $247,712.21.
- Employee/dependent health claims of $136,259.29.
- Purchase of compatibility software for Andrews Center ($1,500).
- Plat of Preston Oaks subdivision (Precinct-2).
- Right of Entry permit to private property for sand (Precinct-1)
- WCIC Board member nominations by City of Yantis—Martin Edwards and Chris Parker.
- Contract renewal with Russell Acker as Wood County inspector for service as On Site Sewage Operations.
- Resolution regarding improvements to entrance to Ozarka plant from FM-2869 (signage & turning lane).
- Donation of canine vests for WCSO dogs ($2,000) pending revelation of donor’s identity.
- Permanent loan of 2006 Ford F-350 to City of Mineola to tow Haz-Mat trailer.
- Return of donation $250 from Presbyterian Women of Wood County Health Department (funds to be given directly to medical staff).
- Resolution necessary to apply for unclaimed moneys in rural electric cooperatives fund at Texas Comptroller.
Personnel actions approved included:
- Carla Johnson, resignation, deputy sheriff, WCSO, $15.68/hour.
- Paul Henry Sisk and Jerry Lee Phillips, Jr., promotion, Equipment

 

Operator I from Laborer II, Precinct 1, to $14,11/hour from $13,61/hour.
The next regular meeting of the Wood County Commissioners Court will be Friday, July 13 at 10 a.m. A special meeting of the court can be called with 72-hour public notice.