Although Wood County does not utilize countywide voting during general elections, County Elections Administrator Laura Wise requested commissioners oppose proposed bills before the state legislature that would eliminate the practice.

Wise explained that 99 counties do use countywide polling, including several in the region.

Wood County does use a form of countywide voting during the early voting period prior to presidential elections, due to the large number of voters who vote early.

The proposed bill would also eliminate that practice, along with the electronic poll books which are essential to the process, avoiding duplicate votes being cast.

Commissioners approved unanimously.

They also heard for the second time in recent weeks from a property owner on Lake Quitman wanting to rebuild on their lots.

Linda Mitchell explained that a home on the lot was destroyed in a storm in 2001.

She is seeking to build a home on the property.

Following some discussion, Mitchell was advised to have the property surveyed to determine the high water line, which is 10 feet above the lake elevation.

As long as the home is built above that line, she would not need county permission, other than having an approved septic system.

The land below the water line, including the lake, is owned by the county.

Another recent issue concerned building up the property above the flood plain, which would require dirt to be placed on county property.

That matter has not yet come before commissioners for a final resolution.

Commissioners approved an agreement with HomeAway for the collection of hotel-motel occupancy taxes on vacation rentals, agreed to the purchase of two new sheriff’s vehicles to include two trade-ins and granted an easement through county property off FM 2966 for access to land owned by Tony Reeves to construct a home.

Two change orders were approved for the county jail expansion project, and Sharon Lindquist was appointed to the board of Emergency Services District No. 1.

A temporary part-time pay increase was approved to allow an employee of the county treasurer’s office to also assume duties for the county auditor in the county clerk and county tax-assessor offices until the position can be filled full-time.