Wood County commissioners approved an inter-local agreement with Franklin County for the housing of inmates in the neighboring county jail facility. The per diem rate for detention services under this agreement is $40 per man each day.

“This is an issue that has come up because of our overcrowding at our local jail here. We have one (agreement) existing I believe with Henderson County, and are looking to have one with Franklin County. This is a situation where we have occasional overcrowding in our jail,” Judge Bryan Jeanes explained. “We try everything we can to get people out as quickly as we can. This came up because we have had a large influx and it happens occasionally.”

In another matter, commissioners approved a resolution for a name change for Wood County Airport. The facility will now be known as Wood County Airport – Collins Field honoring Wayne Collins of Mineola.

Collins was the chairman of the Wood County Airport Board from its inception in 1978 until 2008 guiding the facility development into a valuable asset for the county. The airport was recognized as the “Airport of the Year” in 2010 by the Texas Department of Transportation due to the many years Collins voluntarily donated time to the facility.

Commissioners proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month urging all citizens to work together to reduce child abuse and neglect, and to significantly improve the response of our community when child abuse occurs in the months and years to come.

Jonathan M. Rose was promoted to Jail Captain at the Wood County Jail and will get a raise from $18.88 to $22.83 per hour. Rose had been serving as a Jailer – Lieutenant with the department. In another personnel matter, part-time worker Ann Elmore was a given a raise from $9 to $10 per hour at the Wood County tax office.

In other matters, commissioners:

Approved an order authorizing the San Jacinto Day fireworks sales from April 16 through April 21.

Accepted the resignation of Brad Floyd from the Wood County Industrial Commission and approved Dr. Joanne Wisdom to replace him.

Approved inter-local agreements with Wood County elections and local entities for the May 6 elections.

Approved an inter-local agreement with the City of Quitman for the mowing of treatment plant lagoons and water and sewer right of ways.

Approved payroll of $316,412.88; claims, and treasurer’s report.