The Quitman City Council approved a bid from S-Co Inc. of $299,547 for a sewer line replacement project. Five bids were received. The council did not choose the lowest bid, $285,879.75 from CT Drilling & Construction. Reasons included missing dollar amounts on the bid form and the lack of a required bid bond or cashier's check for 5% of the total bid. Engineer John C. Ringler of JCR Engineers LLC had recommended S-Co. The council voted unanimously to accept the bid.
The council also approved five interlocal agreements with Wood County. The Quitman Fire Department will receive $53,663 from the county, and the Quitman Public Library will receive $9,000. Other agreements cover emergency management services and fire marshal services. The council also approved an agreement for the county to collect the city's ad valorem taxes.
The council approved a resolution authorizing an application for a Texas Community Development Block Grant. The city will compete with other entities for the funds. It committed $26,250 in matching funds and no less than 51% of grant funds to activities the state planning region identified as first priority.
During public comment, Erin Mason addressed a safety concern at the one-way section of State Highway 154 (E. Goode St.) and Paul Street. Mason said the one-way sign is hard to see for drivers traveling east in the right lane. Mason also said the posted enforcement time of 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. does not match the school drop-off period.