Wood County Commissioners Court
Tammy Maricle remembered; Wood Creek Estates approved
By JOHN SPARKS

 
Meeting Friday, November 30 in regular session, Wood County Commissioners passed a resolution naming November 30 as Tammy and Billy Maricle Day in Wood County. A former deputy county clerk, Tammy Maricle and her husband Billy were killed in an auto accident. November 30 was their shared birthday. Members of the families were present as were members of Tammy’s courthouse work family. There were few dry eyes in the courtroom as the proclamation was read by Judge Bryan Jeanes.

Commissioners approved a new 30-lot subdivision to be known as “Wood Creek Estates.” The property, owned by Larry and Mary Siebert of Brooks Lake, is located just southwest of Ed’s Place Restaurant. The Sieberts indicated the lots are from 1/2 acre to a full acre with several lots adjoining a small lake set among rolling hills.
 

The court voted to tax tangible personal property in transit after a public hearing on the subject. The move by the commissioners and by other public bodies such as school boards and city councils is necessary to reverse a state law change enacted in the recent legislative session. The goods or property in question are those “held for assembling, storing, manufacturing, processing or fabricating purposes (goods-in-transit).” The property tax is assessed on goods held in the county for 175-or-more days.
 

In matters related to employee and retirement benefits, commissioners voted to raise retirement benefits by 30 percent of the Cost Price Index. There are 101 retirees currently drawing retirement benefits. For current employees, commissioners voted to seek a contract with AFLAC for Section 125 administration. Wood County Treasurer Becky Cannon suggested the change in the contract would increase efficiency in her office and provide employees with better service from the provider. Currently there are only 19 participants in the program which has been administered by Conexis. The change will take place January 1, 2008 with a one-time $450 charge to the county. Each participant pays $4.00 per month for administrative services.
 

Med One was chosen as contractor to provide medical services to inmates in the Wood County Jail. Med One will provide the services through a Nurse Practitioner (Daniel Lowe) and Physician (Dr. Jimmy Dailey).
 

The contract for management of the Lake Hawkins Recreational Vehicle Park was renewed for 2008. John and Estalene Warren will continue to serve as co-managers with a combined salary of $59,400.
 

In other action, the Commissioners approved:
- Payment of claims in the amount of $141,335.77.
- Payroll in the amount of $269,491.87.
- Employee/dependent health claims of $59,293.83.
- Donation of K-9 to VanZandt County. (Dog has medical condition requiring $140 in monthly prescriptions—VZ Sheriff is married to veterinarian who can reduce the prescription costs).
- County observed holidays for 2008 (no additions or deletions).
- Library contracts with Hawkins Library ($6,000 in FY 2007 and $7,000 in FY 2008); Quitman Library ($7,000 in 2008) and Winnsboro Library ($6,000 in FY 2007 and $7,000 in FY 2008).
- Compensation schedule for Road & Bridge, Pct. 2 (one employee affected).
- Interlocal agreement with the Upper Sabine Valley Solid Waste Management District for financial services for FY-08.
- Permanent loan of two vehicles to the City of Winnsboro for use by the Winnsboro Volunteer Fire Department in HazMat and other emergency situations (vehicles funded through Homeland Security grant).
- Interlocal agreement with Texas Association of Counties for participation in risk management pool.
- Revisions to Lake Hawkins RV Park rate schedule.
Seven personnel actions were approved as follows:
- Justin Scott Glenn, step raise, Laborer II, Pct. 1 R&B, from $11.94/hour to $13.26/hour.
- Dee Tackett and Paula Bailey, new hires, temporary, Tax Assessor Collectors Office, $9.00/hour.
- Bobby Collingsworth, new hire, Laborer II, Pct. 3 R&B, $12.82/hour.
- Randal David Lain, Sr., transfer, to CID Sergeant from Deputy Sheriff, WCSO, from $15.31/hour to $16.56/hour.
- Michael Ray Taylor, transfer, to Patrol Sergeant from Deputy Sheriff, WCSO, $16.31/hour to $16.56/hour.
- Terry Lynn Bevill, resignation, CID Sergeant, WCSO.
 

The next regular meeting of the Wood County Commissioners Court will be Friday, December 14 at 10 a.m. A special meeting of the court can be called with 72-hour public notice.