The Quitman City Council approved a long-term lease of the Carroll Green Civic Center to Wood County last Thursday night.

“This may come as a surprise, but we were approached by the county, and (City Secretary James Attaway) has been working very closely with Judge White (on the lease),” said Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn.

The lease is for the term of seven years, with three one-year extension options available. While the lease states that “no compensation will be required…for the term of the Agreement,” the county has taken on the responsibility of utilities and maintenance for the building. 

Regarding why the city is leasing the center to the county, Dunn explained that the building received a new HVAC system a few years ago amounting to “around $20,000,” but that the annual revenue of the civic center is only about $10,000.

“But with the Civic Center being upkept by the county…we felt like it was a very good option to consider,” said Dunn. “That’s a blessing, to be able to have folks that can work together, and have an agreement, and all work together and both be blessed by it.”

The Quitman Chamber of Commerce will still be entitled to hold its annual banquet at the center, and Attaway mentioned that current reservations for the building like family reunions, a chili cookoff, etc. will be honored.

The council approved the 2024-25 city budget.

“(The ’24-’25 budget) is very, very tight,” said Dunn. “It’s very apparent that all these products are all so much more expensive. And when products go up, of course sales tax is a percentage of that…. Our heart goes out to the families that are having to do so much.”

The council voted to adopt the property tax rate for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which Dunn said are “the same numbers as what we had last year.” The rate was set at $.5257 per $100 valuation.

The council voted to increase the water rate by 8% “to stay in line with the Sabine River Authority.”

“They had an 8% increase, so all this is doing is just keeping up and staying even,” said Dunn.

They also approved the ATMOS Energy gas rates for 2025: ATMOS representatives Darwin Winfield and Natalie Shaddox-White told the council that the average base price for a residential customer per month is now $5.52.

The council approved the amendment of the rate schedule for city trash collection, which is through Republic Services. Attaway recognized the franchise for the donations and community outreach that they achieve.

The board also approved an amendment of water and sewer tap fees, which Attaway said will be the same fee “plus cost of materials.”

“For a long time, the city has just taken (the hit from the increased cost of materials)…and like anything else, we’ve just got to share the cost,” said Dunn. 

The council reappointed Kevan Burroughs, Brad Medlin and Keri Puckett to the Quitman Development Corp. board. They also voted to appoint Chris Mason, QISD superintendent, and Justin Harrison, who owns 5H Equipment Rental & Sales, a former state trooper and law enforcement officer.

They approved the 2024-25 QDC budget. 

Attaway mentioned that the budget includes a back wall and some large fans in the Jim Hogg City Park pavilion.

The Quitman Library will be holding its “Big Fall Book Sale” from Oct. 1-4 from 10-6 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 10-4 on Friday. 

According to Dunn’s mayor’s comments, Quitman firefighter Gary Simpkins will be retiring on Oct. 3. There will be a going-away event, which date has yet to be announced.

“He’s just a wonderful guy,” said Dunn. “We want to wish Gary well.”

The Wood County Monitor was unanimously approved to be the official newspaper for Quitman for the 2024-25 fiscal year.