Wood County commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Alba-Golden ISD for law enforcement services.
A-GISD will pay $150,000 per fiscal year for two deputies through July 31, 2027. The county, through the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, will provide school resource officers on all days school is in session, including staff development days and any other days agreed upon by the county and district.
Each deputy will work a standard 84 hours during each two-week cycle. Any security or extra-duty work requested by the district will be at a separate expense paid by the district. The county will supply the equipment necessary for the deputies to perform their duties as licensed peace officers.
While assigned to the district, the deputies will have the authority of regular law enforcement officers. They will provide a routine presence in campus buildings and parking areas during school hours as a deterrent to crime. Deputies may make arrests or detain individuals as appropriate and transfer them to detention facilities when necessary. They are authorized to enforce all laws, including making arrests or detentions and executing search warrants.
In other business, commissioners approved two resolutions concerning Senate Bill 22 law enforcement grants.
The first resolution designates County Judge Kevin White as the grantee’s authorized official, with the authority to apply for, accept, reject, alter or terminate the grant on behalf of Wood County.
The second resolution concerns a law enforcement grant for prosecution. Commissioners designated Wood County Criminal District Attorney Angela Albers as the grantee’s authorized official, with the authority to apply for, accept, reject, alter or terminate the grant on behalf of the county.
Commissioners also approved the annual review of the Wood County Investment Policy and passed a resolution naming Wood County Treasurer Daphne Carter as the county’s investment officer.
In a letter to commissioners, Carter said it was her honor to continue serving as the county’s investment officer.
“I appreciate your continued support and appreciate both review and feedback in this policy update,” said Carter.
Commissioners also approved a resolution authorizing White or a designee to submit and accept a grant request through the Texas Local Emergency Planning Committee.
In another action item, commissioners approved an interlocal cooperation contract between the University of Texas at Austin and Wood County for the use of UT Austin Security Operations Center services. The agreement provides real-time network security monitoring to detect and respond to security events that could jeopardize the state and its residents.
Commissioners renewed a memorandum of understanding and community involvement agreement with the East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. The agreement continues a partnership between Wood County and ETCADA for prevention, recovery support, youth services and overdose prevention education throughout East Texas.
In consent items, the court approved payment of $600 to Lowe-Gardner Funeral Home in Quitman for a pauper’s funeral for a Mineola resident.
The Wood County Monitor and Tyler Morning Telegraph were designated newspapers of general circulation for the county.
In personnel matters, Crystal D. Neel was hired as a Wood County deputy at $29.64 per hour, and Christopher Snelson was hired as a jailer at $25.72 per hour.