Wood County commissioners set the county’s tax rate and approved more than 30 hotel occupancy tax grants for organizations and events throughout the county.
The new tax rate was set at 46.95 cents per $100 valuation, compared with last year’s rate of 46.25 cents. County Judge Kevin White said the difference amounts to seven-tenths of a cent.
Wood County Economic Development Commission executive director Christine Thomas presented the list of organizations that applied for and were approved for grants.
“This has been a record year with 37 applications turned in. There’s a lot going on right now. Everyone that was awarded met the requirements from the state,” Thomas said.
The WCEDC had $150,000 to distribute among eligible applicants.
Among the larger awards were $20,000 for the Flint & Steel Coalition and for CrappieFest and $15,000 for Bass Champs.
Autumn Trails in Winnsboro, Rock the Pines and the Skeeter Owners Tournament each received $10,000, while Legends of Lake Fork received $7,500.
Lake Country Playhouse and Select Theater received $5,000 for facility improvements. Jarvis Christian University in Hawkins and the 2027 Patriot Sporting Challenge each received $4,500 grants.
Some of the other awards included grants of $3,000 to City of Mineola Tourism; Winnsboro Center for the Arts programs, including the annual Cowboy Music and Poetry event and Winnsboro Art and Wine Festival; Magical Mineola, Nature Fest and the Mineola Fire Department Rodeo; Hidden Pines Venue Marketing; and Jericho Co. Productions for a Celtic festival.
The $2,000 grants went to Oaklea Mansion in Winnsboro, Mineola League of the Arts, the Winnsboro Center for the Arts Ceramics and Fired Arts Extravaganza, City of Winnsboro Tourism and the Mineola Chamber of Commerce for the 2027 Iron Horse Heritage Festival.
Recipients of $1,000 grants included Sorelle Tree Farm/Bob Wills Fall Festival, Promise of Peace, the Wood County Visitor Center in Mineola and Mineola May Days. The Winnsboro Festival of Books and Winnsboro Rodeo each received $750. Smaller awards were also given to total the $150,000.
Commissioners also approved a resolution establishing a 14-day work period for county employees engaged in law enforcement activities.
Under the policy, law enforcement personnel may work up to 86 hours during a 14-day period before accruing compensatory time. Except in emergencies determined by commissioners court or the sheriff, employees must receive advance authorization from a supervisor before working more than 86 hours in a work period to receive overtime compensation.
Commissioners approved fees for the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s four constables.
In a letter concerning the fee schedule, Precinct 4 Constable Chase Glover said constables Holland of Precinct 1, Ragsdale of Precinct 2 and McQueen of Precinct 3 agreed with the schedule.
Glover said the schedule was expanded to include fees for civil processes that have become more common but were not previously addressed in the county’s fee schedule. Additional fees were also added for other processes performed by the county’s civil process team and other employees.
In another matter, commissioners approved a resolution authorizing participation in the 2027 Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program through the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Commissioners approved $3,924 for the Meals on Wheels program serving Wood County. Meals on Wheels is funded through a combination of government grants, charitable contributions and voluntary donations from seniors.
Commissioners also approved a proclamation designating Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week. Several members of the Elizabeth Denton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution attended the meeting for the proclamation.
Sept. 17 marks the 239th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.
Commissioners approved two personnel actions, both in the criminal district attorney’s office. Rebecca Hamblett received a pay increase from $22.58 to $23.29 per hour, and Tessa Mason’s hourly pay increased from $23.29 to $24.12.
Two public hearings were set for Oct. 13. One concerns Heavenly Father Acres Rental Community in Precinct 1, and the other concerns a revision to Red Fox RV and Resort in Precinct 2. Red Fox is located east of the loop on FM 49 toward Hainesville.