The Quitman City Council voted Thursday to keep the property tax rate from last year; there will be no increase in the 2025 budget. 

Last year’s rate was $.5257 per $100, and the motion to keep it the same passed unanimously. This comes after Wood County commissioners voted to keep Wood County property tax rates the same as last year’s.

The board also voted to allow Flint and Steel, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Mineola, to carry out a skating demonstration on the Kiwanis basketball court during next month’s Wood County Health Fair.

While it’s “technically (illegal) to skateboard in the park,” said James Attaway, city administrator, the organization received permission from the Kiwanis and the police chief and was seeking a one-time permit from the council. 

Christine Thomas, executive director of the Wood County Economic Development Commission, assured the board that there will be “no damage, there’s not going to be kicking off the metal.” She also notified them that Flint and Steel carries its own insurance, so the city will not be fiscally responsible should an accident occur at the demonstration.

The board passed the motion for the one-time skating demonstration. 

The discussion led to another discussion, led by board member Steve Glenn, about the possibility of building a skate park in Quitman. 

“I want to come to this event because I think it’s a fantastic event. I want to see what the enthusiasm, and the excitement, is, because maybe that’s something we need to bring before a separate board (to initiate),” he said. “Maybe we need this!”

“It’s all about getting kids outside,” agreed Mayor Randy Dunn.

The Wood County Health Fair will be an “all-out effort” to bring people together and raise awareness about healthcare, according to Thomas. Among other events, the fair will feature entertainment, musical performances, a dance demonstration, an appearance by Chef Tyler of Fusion in the Woods Catering, prizes and health screenings.

The event, which is completely free, will be held on Sept. 21 at 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and will be at Jim Hogg City Park. The health fair is also a joint event with Lake Country Classic Cars. 

The invocation, or prayer, before the City Council’s Thursday meeting was especially touching. While a prayer is offered before every meeting, Mayor Dunn took a special moment to “(lift) up” beloved community member Larry Tucker in prayer, while in the background, community members chimed in with quiet “amens.” Tucker was airlifted to the hospital Thursday.

Sally Attaway invited community members to the Tips for Tots event, which benefits the Wood County Child Protection & Welfare Board. The board supports foster children in Wood County.

The event will be held Sept. 9 at the Winnsboro Civic Center at 5:30 p.m. Tips for Tots consists of a dinner (which is catered by Seth’s Lake Fork Creek Steak and Seafood) followed by an auction. Tickets are $25 per person.

“It’s going to be a good time,” she said.

The board also heard, and interacted with, a presentation by Nick Hardwick of Enterprise Fleet Rentals. Hardwick gave the council an update on the statistics and usage of Quitman’s public works vehicles. The cars, which include police vehicles in addition to normal public works vehicles, have around “$230,000 in equity,” according to Hardwick.

Hardwick recommended that the board sell some of the older cars in order to purchase and outfit newer models. He said that, should the council want to change their car rental holdings, he would come back with a finer-tuned budget and estimates.

Dunn suggested that the board hold a workshop to look at the possibilities. James Attaway also mentioned that “in the future, (the city is) going to try to do everything we can to drive a Ford.”

Quitman Police Chief John Farmer took a moment to announce the retirement of Officer Joe Andrade on Aug. 29. 

“He’s an extraordinary, an unusual individual, and he’s going to be missed,” said Farmer.

Those who know Officer Andrade are welcome to come by and wish him well on the 29th at the Civic Center in Quitman between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. There will be food and drinks.

David Gonyea, who is a Marine Corps veteran and the owner of the Minuteman Ordnance Company in Quitman, requested that Quitman make Sept. 9 “Massoud Day.”

Dunn also named Susan Rogers, who manages the Quitman City Pool, as Quitman’s Employee of the Month. 

“It’s like a resort when you go out there,” he said. “I mean, she really does a great job out there.”