Quitman council OKs contribution to special event set at civic center

By Larry Tucker
editor@wood.cm
Posted 3/3/21

The Quitman City Council discussed and approved contributing funds toward the rental of the Carroll Green Civic Center for hosting the Wood County Child Welfare and Protection Board Event to be held in the fall.

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Quitman council OKs contribution to special event set at civic center

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The Quitman City Council discussed and approved contributing funds toward the rental of the Carroll Green Civic Center for hosting the Wood County Child Welfare and Protection Board Event to be held in the fall.

Mayor Randy Dunn said, “As times became difficult the city was asked to get involved. So, it was turned over to us, but the civic center remains on its own budget. It is a revenue stream to provide expenses for the facility and the maintenance of it. We have groups and individuals who ask ‘Why don’t the city just offer this’? It has its own budget and I think we are down to $410. They want the heat, the air conditioning and the Wi-Fi and everything else over there and that is a monthly expense for us. I don’t know if everybody really understood that’s an entity by itself. That’s why we ask for fees and charge the rental of it. Because of COVID, that knocked us out of a lot of opportunity to have a little reserve built up.”

City Administrator Rodney Kieke added, “From the city’s viewpoint, dollars have to flow in that account just to keep that thing operating and there needs to be a few more dollars in there making sure we stay in front of things that may happen. This is just an idea for a way to do that. Cities are always wanting to support civic organizations and special causes along the way. We really do need to continue to fund the civic center or it will dry up. What I asked the mayor to consider, we are happy for you to use that center, but the city would own the responsibility of putting those funds for that rental into that budget. We owe to the organizations to help out where we can.”

The Child Welfare Board and Protection Board was unable to hold its annual August event at AJs Fish House. The event “Tips for Tots” has been a major fund raising effort the past few years with all proceeds going to help them in providing for Wood County foster children and those in need. The organization plans to hold a “Tips for Tots” later this year if possible. 

The council approved amending the personnel policy guidelines on nepotism to allow for a temporary contract to backfill between permanent hires. The assignment will cover three to four months for a library worker. The library lost a regular employee and has identified a replacement, but the replacement works in a school district and cannot start until May. Rather than hire and train someone short term, Library Director Delene Allen proposed using her daughter in the temporary position as a contract employee.

In another matter, the council approved an inter-local agreement with the Wood County Elections Office to handle the May 1 mayoral and alderman election.

The financial audit was tabled until March. 

Mayor Dunn used part of his “Mayor’s Comments” to praise and thank those who were working during the winter storm which paralyzed the city.

“The Water Department worked 24/7, thank you guys and all on your team. The after-hours that were spent and the time you dedicated yourself are appreciated very much,” Dunn said. “Wood County Electric did a phenomenal job. The members of Wood County Electric were conservative and kept it from going over the brink. We cannot say enough about the effort. We were very blessed they kept it all going. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”