NEWS
Bowie EMS offering plans to help department stabilize
By BARBARA GREEN
While pitching Bowie Emergency Medical Services to the Montague County Commissioner’s court two weeks ago, Bowie Mayor Pro Tem Scott Davis called stopping the out of city service a mistake the council would like to correct.
Pubic outcry or a “different view” of the financials may have prompted the city to get back into the county ambulance game, but it is going to take some major changes in the revenue stream to keep the operation stable. Ambulance operation has long been a money drain with average collections 25 to 27 percent of billings.
It was the first week of March when the city council voted to stop out-of-the-city limits ambulance calls. A letter was forwarded to the county informing them of the Oct. 1 effective date.
Then on May 16 the same council, minus former Mayor Larry Slack, sent a new letter asking to be considered for EMS service.
The request did not sit well with the commissioners who felt like Bowie put it in the position of searching for an EMS to serve the southern half of the county.
There also were expectations numerous companies would respond to the request for proposals, but the county received only two including one from Nocona General Hospital EMS and Sacred Cross in Denton. After much debate NGH pulled out and Bowie EMS was selected.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott Davis said the city staff has taken several steps to address budget issues within the fire/EMS department, which they believe will help stabilize the finances.
On the staffing side the department is operating two budgeted staff members short. Read the full story in the weekend News.
| 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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