Quitman Development Corp. board decided Monday to offer a reduced price on a proposal to complete electric vehicle charging stations.

The proposed payment is $10,650 to ChargePoint for electrical installation on the charging stations on North Main Street.

“The price is outrageous,” said board member Brad Medlin, who is the vice president of Medlin Electric, Inc. in Quitman. “I mean, that’s highway robbery…it really is.”

According to him, the installation of a better EV charging system could cost much less.

“I trust you, because that’s what you do (for a living),” said board member Greg Eberhardt.

The board ultimately agreed to offer ChargePoint $5,000 instead of the proposed $10,650 to complete the project, which Medlin said is “still high” but would cover the company’s materials, labor and travel costs.

They also decided to donate $500 to Tips for Tots, a benefit event through the Wood County Child Welfare & Protection Board. The program supports Wood County foster children. 

Several board members noted that the city is intending to host live music events at Jim Hogg City Park pavilion.

Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn doesn’t expect progress to be made in 2025 on the proposed Quitman memory care center, according to James Attaway, QDC executive director. The QDC has been a supporter of the center, which is awaiting state funds.

The board also agreed to take on the services of T.G. Mullins Consulting, LLC; this organization is headed by Tom Mullins, whom Attaway said is the experienced former director of the Tyler Economic Development Corp.

The rate will be “money well spent” according to Medlin, who agreed with the rest of the board that “it would be really good for this board” to receive Mullins’ advice and experience.

The annual budget workshop was completed. They decided to purchase and subsequently demolition the property located at 715 S. Main Street “for the city.” They also decided to adjust some of the proposed budget numbers, then re-visit the budget at their September meeting for eventual submission to the city council.