Wood County commissioners approved a plan last week to spend a state grant for rural prosecutors’ offices.

This marks the second year for the county to receive the funds, which benefit district attorney and sheriff offices.

The district attorney’s office grant will be used for salary supplements ranging from $17,500 to $40,000 per year for assistant DAs and $10,000 each for the investigator and victims assistance coordinator. An additionally $36,000 will be spent for the cost of the county retirement program and payroll taxes created by the additional salaries.

The sheriff’s office spends its grant funds on equipment, since the Wood County pay scale is above the minimum required to use the grant for salaries.

Commissioners approved the purchase of three sheriff’s vehicles, a new Chevy Tahoe for $71,310, a 2022 Tahoe for $41,830 and a 2017 Ford F-150 pickup for $47,000.

Commissioners approved $1,165,765 for accounts payable, which County Judge Kevin White pointed out includes the final payment of $306,495 to Peoples Telephone for the rural broadband expansion project, which was paid for by federal COVID relief dollars.

Commissioners approved proclamations for October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Oct. 6-12 as National 4-H Week in Texas. Several 4-H’ers were on hand along with new county agent Hilary Grider.

An agreement was approved for the county to assist the city of Hawkins with boom axe work on Woodbine, Raymer, Betty, Jeffery, Cumby and Francis Streets. The city will reimburse the county at a rate of $50 per hour.

Commissioners approved the development plans for the Big Bass RV park on Hwy. 154 near Yantis. No one attended to speak on the project, which drew several questions at a prior hearing.