Wood County commissioners tabled a request by the Wood County Economic Development Commission (WCEDC) to utilize county funds for a business relief program needed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WCEDC Executive Director Roger Johnson brought the item to the commissioners.

“When I talk to the local chambers of commerce and EDCs they let me know what is going on in their communities. This would be for all Wood County communities,” Johnson said. 

After a discussion, commissioners decided to table until the June 16 meeting to get guidelines for a program to be put together and implemented.

The request seeks use of the unclaimed capital credit money that normally funds WCEDC development projects or dollars from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to offer $100,000 in assistance.

Commissioners approved a joint primary election for the Democratic and Republican parties for July 14 and public notices announcing the primary runoff, which was delayed from May. They also approved moving the voting location at Harold Simmons Community Center to Alba for the runoff election.

Commissioners approved a resolution to authorize Prec. 2 Constable Kelly Smith to submit a grant request through the Walmart Community Grant Program. A resolution was approved to accept a donation of masks.

Commissioners approved a resolution to apply for a 2020 Help America VOTE (HAVA) Cares Act sub-grant.

“I believe this is another one of the coronavirus relief programs made available. This is what they call a HAVA grant,” Judge Lucy Hebron said. “This would authorize the Wood County commissioners court to go ahead and make application to obtain that grant.”

Several public hearings were set for the July 14 meeting. Hearings will include tax abatement for Slayton Properties as requested by the city of Mineola and plat revisions for two requests at Holly Lake Ranch and one in the Maxwell Subdivision, all of which are in Prec. 3.

In personnel matters, commissioners approved the resignation of Twila Yeager from the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service; the change in position of  Jeannie Hurst from jailer to jailer-sergeant; hiring  Reiny Dawn Luman for a temporary job in the county clerk’s office;  hiring Garrett Driskill as a road tech in Prec. 2; hiring Lamar Elliot as road tech in Prec. 2; hiring Oval Lewis part-time in Prec. 4; and from the Wood County district attorney hiring Jordan Coe and Kaleigh Sauer as temporary employees.