Wood County Commissioners approved a resolution between Wood County and Peoples Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (Peoples) to deploy fiber optic facilities with National Telecommunications and Information (NTIA) grant funds in Wood County.

In accordance with the proposed NTIA grant, Wood County agrees to use Peoples as the service provider of broadband facilities in the ILEC and CLEC areas for Wood County. The ILEC and the CLEC were formed soon after the Telecommunications Act of 1996. It was the breakup of the monopoly of AT&T and the Bell Systems in 1984 that led to the ILEC and CLEC. The Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier is a company that is characterized by providing local telephone service.

The county will be using grant funds for the betterment of the people of Wood County providing future-proof technology via fiber to ensure support for residential and commercial growth in all areas.

Commissioners approved several personnel matters. In the county judge’s office, Doni E. Parnell was hired as the new county court administrator and administrative assistant at $22.08 per hour replacing Tiffany Elizabeth Smith who resigned. Also in the judge’s office, Susan Resnik’s temporary employment ended.  

In the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, LaDawn McGee moves from courthouse security to deputy and Dustin Green will fill McGee’s courthouse bailiff position. Jamie Warren resigned as a jailer in the corrections department.

In the District Attorney’s Office, Robin Sherwood ended her part-time position and has resigned. Amberley King has been hired as part-time court coordinator at $12 per hour in Judge Brad McCampbell’s 402nd District Court. Road Tech Cory Littles was has been discharged in Precinct 1.

In another matter, commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of retired K9 Officer Juma’s vest from Vested Interest to Wood County K9 Deputy Jois. Commissioners also approved the authorization for the submission of a grant request through Healthcare for K-9 Heroes for the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.

Commissioners approved an inter-local agreement with the City of Quitman for mowing at the water treatment lagoons and some of the water and sewer rights-of-way through Dec. 31 upon county availability.

In other business, commissioners approved Ange Everett, Suzy Bain and Kathy Gilbreath to the Wood County Child Welfare Board roster. All three have passed background checks and were approved via a member vote and each has received their required training.

The nomination of Warren Blesh for Emergency Service District #1 Board of Directors was approved. 

Commissioners approved the Alba Line Subdivision, Shady Oaks Subdivision-Phase II, and Bass Place Subdivision all in the Alba-Golden area.

Also approved was the acceptance of an offer of $600 on property in the Winnsboro ISD on property located in both Wood and Franklin Counties.