NEWS
Commissioners say budget is too tight this year to help
By BARBARA GREEN
It has been 20 years since the subsidy paid to the three Montague County ambulance services was increased and things don’t look promising for any change this year due to budget constraints.
However, the commissioner’s court on Monday told Bowie Mayor Larry Slack they will see if any increase is possible this year and then begin work on further remedies.
Slack returned to the court to provide additional details requested after his June 27 presentation to the court on the Bowie Emergency Medical Service. In June the mayor reviewed the financial status and operational data of the EMS that serves almost all of the southern portion of the county about 400 square miles.
Montague County pays a stipend of $18,000 a year to Bowie EMS, plus $15,000 to Nocona General Hospital EMS and $12,504 to Saint Jo Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance. This figure was first paid in fiscal year 1995-96 and has not been changed since that time.
Commissioner Mark Murphey questioned the mayor’s figures asking why the city sent a rescue truck on an ambulance call instead of calling on Bowie Rural VFD to make the run. He questioned the duplication of service and asked for a breakdown on those calls.
Read the full story in the mid-week News.
Pictured, Bowie Mayor Larry Slack discusses ambulance operations with the Montague County Commissioners on Monday. (photo by Barbara Green)
| AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) today encouraged Texans to take part in this year’s Emergency Supplies Sales Tax Holiday Weekend starting Saturday, April 27 through Monday, April 29. “Having emergency supplies on-hand is a critical part of being prepared for potential severe weather,” said Governor Abbott. “I encourage Texans across the state to stock up on supplies they might need in an emergency to protect themselves and their loved ones, such as first aid kits, flashlights, or hand-held fire extinguishers.” Signed into law by Governor Abbott in 2015, Senate Bill 905 established Texas’ annual Emergency Supplies Sales Tax Holiday Weekend allowing Texans to purchase certain emergency preparation supplies tax free either online or in person. Texans can visit the Texas Comptroller’s website for more information on qualifying purchases. As spring storms and increased wildfire danger impact Texas, along with the approaching hurricane season which begins on June 1, Texans are encouraged to review disaster preparedness tips and information on building an emergency supply kit at TexasReady.gov. |
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
A public hearing has been scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on May 28 for the Montague County Commissioner’s Court to present the updated subdivision regulations that have been in the works for several months.
That date was set during Monday’s court session, where a development officer also was named and a state-required notice was approved. The 89-page draft of the subdivision regulations are available on the county website co.montague.tx.us/page/montague.home.
It was August 2019 when the regulations were adopted by the commissioners after much debate among water well drillers, groundwater district staff and directors, realtors and land developers.
During those original discussions water issues lead the way as many counties especially around heavily populated urban areas are experiencing water shortages and possible contamination due to an inadequate number of houses and wells or even the use of a public water system in the rural areas.
Charley Lanier, who has been working as a grant officer for the county, was named to be the subdivision development officer. After a brief 10-minute executive session, the court named Lanier who they said would be the “initial contact” for all developers who will accept all paperwork and plats.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
City of Bowie water and street crews repair a broken water line in the area of Walnut and Smythe last week, along with repairing a large pot hole in the same area. (Photo by Barbara Green)
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