The midterm elections are not until Nov. 3, but Wood County commissioners spent part of their regular meeting Monday preparing for the vote.
Elections Administrator Laura Wise presented agenda items involving the Nov. 3 election, including election judges and branch voting.
The court approved judges and alternate judges for the county’s 14 voting precincts, along with members of the early voting ballot board and central counting station.
“This election we are having a lot of changes with judges aging out or dropping out for various reasons. We want to continue with this group for one year,” Wise said. “In the next election, we will start the process again.”
The court also approved the Mineola Civic Center as a branch voting location if needed.
“We need to do this in case we have long lines and heavy voting and we need to have this available if we need it,” Wise said.
The contract provides use of the Dogwood Room at the civic center for an estimated cost of $1,800. If needed, branch voting would be held Oct. 26-30.
Commissioners also called an election to create Wood County Emergency Services District No. 2, which would serve the southeastern part of the county, including the city of Hawkins. The Hawkins Fire Department endorsed the proposal. Voters will decide whether to authorize a tax not to exceed the maximum rate allowed by law.
The court approved Precinct 4 Commissioner Russell Acker to continue representing Wood County as a voting member of the Northeast Texas Regional Water Planning Group. Acker succeeded former county representative Jerry Gaskill and has served on the board for several years.
In other business, commissioners authorized Sheriff Kelly Cole to purchase a 2022 Ram 2500 pickup with 70,000 miles for $33,451. The sheriff’s office will trade in a 2013 Dodge Charger, a 2017 Chevrolet and a 2020 Chevrolet as part of the purchase.
The court approved advertising for bids on road oil.
“The bid is for a one-year contract to renew for three consecutive years,” Misty Goldman said. “The company was having problems and we discovered a breach of the contract as they could not provide the asphalt needed. Normally we do these birds for four or five years. I will be advertising this Sept. 1.”
The court also approved the Rural Ambulance Service Grant Program under House Bill 3000 between Wood County and UT Health EMS for an ambulance.