After meeting in executive session, the Quitman Development Corporation (QDC) named city administrator Rodney Kieke executive director of QDC, which has been without a director since parting ways with Denea Hudman in February. 

In a budget memo from board treasurer Greg Eberhart, who has been working on the budget and the group’s finances, he stated, “We discussed in great detail the hiring of an existing city employee as an interim ED, specifically the city secretary. He has been very helpful to us over the past six months by handling inquiries and visiting with potential new business owners while our phone has been forwarded to city hall.”

The memo stated Kieke would be considered for the job permanently.

“We fully intend to monitor and evaluate the interim ED’s performance and ability to cope with a more demanding work load. Our plan is to begin the search for a long-term hire in the near future, at which time the interim ED will also be considered. Budget adjustments would almost certainly need to be made to accommodate a larger salary and greater benefits if an applicant outside the city’s employ were to be hired.”

Board members Alice Ingram-Bowers, David Dobbs, Randy Dunn and Brad Medlin will be recommended to the city council for seats expiring in October.

Dobbs updated the board on the Wood County Economic Development Corporation (WCEDC) financial assistance plan for qualifying Quitman businesses.

“We got approval for $14,000 of $20,000 available. The amounts were anywhere from $900 to a little over $2,100,” Dobbs noted.