NEWS
Montague County begins its 2018-19 budget work
By BARBARA GREEN
The court went into a brief budget workshop after completing its regular agenda on Monday, hearing from three elected officials and two appointees.
Tax Assessor Syd Nowell called the next budget year her “transition year” as she makes plans to retire the minute she turns 65 on April 1, 2019 she laughed on Monday.
When she leaves office the court will have to appoint a person to fill out the unexpired term which will run out in 2020. In addition to Nowell, Lawanna Yarbough, a longtime deputy in the tax office, also plans to retire shortly after her boss.
In preparing her budget Nowell said she included additional funds for training and transportation for a new person, plus funds for part-time. She explained they have been doing a lot of cross training in the office because she wants the front counter ready for her departure. Her budget proposal also will include moving the secretary to full deputy.
Nowell also said at this time there is no one on her staff who wants the interim position.
The tax assessor also informed the court of a pending lawsuit settlement that will cost the county almost $500,000.
The Texas Supreme Court has issued a ruling in a case where a company sought to have heavy equipment such as compressors taxed in the county where their main office is located.
Nowell said based on this ruling Montague County will have to refund three years in taxes to CDM Company which comes out to about $475,000 with principal and interest.
Read the full story in the mid-week 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
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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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