Quitman city council members unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a loan at BTH Bank to purchase and finance 15 hand-held radios and related equipment for the Quitman Volunteer Fire Department.

The loan of approximately $13,000 is set to be paid back in two payments.

The radios are Kenwood hand-held radio packages from Mobile Communication Services of Tyler. “There is quite a bit of difference in these radios and the old ones. We are actually saving a little of $1,000 per unit. These are Kenwood and they are top of the line,” Fire Chief Scott Wheeler said. “They are superior to those we have now as far as distance and clarity. We don’t buy the cheap ones because we have to depend on them so much.”

The BTH bid proposal of 2.75 percent interest rate on the $13,000 loan was chosen over City National Bank and Wood County National Bank who both bid an interest rate of 3.75 percent.

Quitman chiropractor Dr. Joanne Wisdom was tabbed by the city council to replace Brad Floyd on the Wood County Industrial Commission Board of Directors. Wisdom will begin her term at the next meeting scheduled for April 6 in the Holly Lake area. Wisdom and husband Dr. John Wisdom own Quitman Chiropractic and are active in the Quitman / Lake Fork Kiwanis Club. Wisdom will fill in the rest of Floyd’s original three-year term which ends in September of this year.

Mayor J.R. Evans gave a proclamation acknowledging this upcoming May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month to Steven Edwards, Quitman, president of the Highway Masters Riding Club.

In other matters the council:

• Was given a legislative update from Roger Johnson of the Greater Tyler Association of Realtors;

• Heard a report on WCIC activities by Martha Scroggins;

• Approved an election contract with Wood County Election department for upcoming city council election in May;

• Approved previous meeting minutes, financial and budget reports as of Feb. 28 and

• Approved departmental reports.