Angelina County commissioners on Tuesday accepted a $100,000 energy efficiency block grant.

The grant is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, created by the Obama administration to jump-start the sluggish economy. The money is distributed by the federal government to state counties and cities.

County Judge Wes Suiter said the funds come with strict guidelines and will be put towards making county buildings more energy-efficient.

"We're going to use the funds to place programmable thermostats in our buildings and automatic lights that will shut off when someone leaves a room — all of which will cut back on the county's energy bills," Suiter said.

The court also agreed to renew an interlocal agreement between Angelina County and Fort Bend County. The agreement enables Fort Bend County to place prisoners in the Angelina County Jail for a fee of $45 per person, per day.

County Auditor Eddie Gray said the agreement is only a backup plan for Fort Bend County, which recently completed construction on a new jail of its own. A majority of out-of-county prisoners will now come from Harris County, which has a similar interlocal agreement.

In other business, the court approved the appointment of five members and two alternates to the Angelina County Board of Adjustments.

Those approved for the position included David Lawson, Bennie Moye, Don Lymbery, Billy Flurry, Bill Bartlett, Rocky Thigpen and Jeff Chance.

The adjustment board plans to hold a meeting soon and will publicly post the meeting's details within the next few weeks, Suiter said.

The court also approved to renew a five-year agreement between the county and the U.S. Forest Service for 36 local roads managed jointly by the two entities.

"If roads that we share are in need of maintenance, we can submit a request, and the U.S. Forest Service will consider paying for the repairs," Suiter said.

Two joint elections were also approved between the county and Diboll ISD, and Zavalla ISD, for special elections occurring Nov. 3.

Both school districts are holding the election to decide on new bonds, and Zavalla ISD is also voting on whether to ratify the local income tax rate.

The Angelina County Commissioners' Court meets every second and fourth Tuesday in the Angelina County Courthouse Annex on East Lufkin Avenue.