County treasurer resigns, Carter appointed

By Larry Tucker
editor@wood.cm
Posted 5/19/22

Wood County commissioners accepted the resignation of County Treasurer Becky Burford effective immediately at Tuesday’s meeting. 

County Judge Lucy Hebron swore in Daphne Carter as the …

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County treasurer resigns, Carter appointed

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Wood County commissioners accepted the resignation of County Treasurer Becky Burford effective immediately at Tuesday’s meeting. 

County Judge Lucy Hebron swore in Daphne Carter as the new treasurer. Carter was the only candidate in the spring primary seeking the position and has been with the county auditor’s office.

“It’s time for the young people to be a part of Wood County and it is best to begin this transition at this time,” Burford noted. Burford has 35 years experience working for Wood County and has been the elected treasurer for 11 years.

In another matter, commissioners approved an inter-local agreement with Franklin County for housing inmates from Wood County at $50 per day, a slight increase.

In personnel matters Kevin Atkinson was hired full-time to fill the jail records position held by Timmy Koonce. Reiny Luman was approved part-time in the county clerk’s office, and Joseph Newman resigned as a road tech in Precinct 1.

Commissioners approved the sale of surplus vehicles through Auctioneer Express at www.auctioneeerexpress.com. The vehicles include a 2015 Dodge Charger, 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe, two 2017 Ford Explorers and a 2016 Ford Explorer.

Commissioners approved resignations and appointments to the Wood County Child Welfare Board roster. New board members will be Denea Hudman of Hainesville, Anna Miller of Quitman and John Abbott of Mineola. Resigning from the board were Suzy Richards of Quitman, Elaine Johnson of Mineola and Lesa Harris of Mineola.

Commissioners approved May 15-21 as National Police Week to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty while protecting communities and safeguarding democracy. The first recorded death was in 1786, and more than 23,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. 

This spring, 619 names of fallen heroes have been added to the list, including 472 officers killed in 2021 and 147 officers killed in previous years.

Votes for the state constitutional amendments election were canvassed. Elections Administrator Laura Wise brought the totals to the court for consideration.

Proposition 1 was authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of ad valorem taxes and the vote was 3,350 for and 548 against. Proposition 2 was increasing the amount of the resident homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes and the vote was 3,475 to 498.

The total votes cast were 4,120 out of 32,530 registered county voters. “It was a very low voter turnout,” Wise said.

Claims approved were heath and dental, $61,344; payroll $403,921; accounts payable $519,731; and direct claims $14,948.