Quitman city council schedules May election

By Larry Tucker
editor@wood.cm
Posted 1/26/23

Quitman City Council approved an order for a municipal election to be held May 6 to elect two council members and a mayor.

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Quitman city council schedules May election

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Quitman City Council approved an order for a municipal election to be held May 6 to elect two council members and a mayor.

Mayor Randy Dunn and council members David Dobbs and Brad Medlin are the incumbents. Dunn has filed to run for mayor, and Medlin has filed to retain his seat. There have been no others filing for the positions.

The council approved an inter-local agreement between Wood County and the city to provide county funds for the Quitman Public Library. The agreement calls for the county to give the Quitman facility $9,000.

“This is an inter-local we do every year. They did up it this year to $9,000 which is more than last year. It’s actually a little above $9,000,” City Administrator Rodney Kieke said. “The generosity is appreciated. It still needs to go to the county commissioners for approval.”

Library Director Delene Allen said, “I would like to say that I think it is pretty neat we have just a little over 9,000 patrons here at the library. They might not all be active, but that is how many members we have. When I first started here we only had about 2,000 members.”

The council approved the Quitman Development Corporation request for $10,000 to assist in the effort by the Quitman-Lake Fork Kiwanis Club to help resurface the Splash Pad at Jim Hogg City Park.

The council approved a resolution to support the rehabilitation of affordable rental housing at 202 Richards St. known as Quitman Square Apartments. The property was built in 1992 and is in need of substantial improvements. 

Three of the discussions/action items were tabled. Those postponed included a resolution for support of the Center for Memory Health and Education project, amending an ordinance establishing maintenance funds and other special funds, and amending an ordinance for animal regulations. 

After the council meeting a workshop was held to discuss Jim Hogg City Park project funding, city of Quitman asset management and Quitman City Pool.

Origin Bank (formerly BTH Bank) has offered its current facility to the city as they construct a new office just to the west of the current building. 

There was discussion concerning the Quitman City Swimming Pool.

“We are looking at replacing a pump that’s about $30,000. It may make it another season or it may not,” Kieke said. “I’m not sure if it (city pool) has ever been profitable.”

Council members discussed other opportunities the pool area could be used for including covered basketball and pickle ball courts.