A split vote of 7-6 set policy on how Wood County Industrial Commissioners will handle returned Unclaimed Capital Credit (UCC) funds.

In the past, Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds were dispersed and two alternates who did not receive funds were named in case money was returned. The UCC funding process did not clarify any alternates to receive funds if any were returned unused.

The 7-6 vote was in favor of going to a similar system as the HOT funds naming two alternates for the funds if any were returned or not used. “If something was to happen and someone does not use their money we can go to an alternative so we would not have this problem again,” Sue Hitzeman, board chairman said. “That’s what we are asking for is to add this change to our policy concerning U.C.C. funds. That way, it and HOT funds will mirror each other.”

Board member and former Chairman Sam Scroggins was opposed to the move. “I’m a little concerned about this. UCC funds are there to help serve economic development. This past year as we went through the process of awarding funds, there was not a single applicant that was denied because we didn’t have funds. Not every applicant got all the funds they wanted, but we did our best to make sure that all applicants got some funding,” Scroggins explained. “Some of that funding came back to us. With your proposal there would automatically be a first or second alternate. This year we didn’t have that. My concern is we might miss an opportunity if we lock ourselves in and if there is a really good economic event that is in the offing that wasn’t around when people had the opportunity to request those funds, we miss a good economic opportunity. I just don’t like to see us tied down at that point.”

The vote was taken twice to make sure it was correct and it ended with the 7-6 vote in favor of having two alternates for the U.C.C. funds.

The board did approve to grant Cowburners , a Mineola barbecue restaurant business located in downtown Mineola, $5,000. Cowburners was one of the businesses which did not receive earlier funds during the application process, but had previously applied.

In other matters the board of directors heard from two other presenters. Jim Buerger, representing the My Honor program, spoke to the group about Wood County and the idea that the Boy Scouts could maintain Welcome to Beautiful Wood County signs on highways coming into the county. Robin Clinker gave a presentation on the Texas Hotel Lodging Association. No action was taken on either presentation. Neil Duncan proposed the involvement with My Honor and the Boy Scouts be brought up on the agenda in April. The vote on the lodging association was also tabled.

The next meeting will be held March 2 at Yantis Café.