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Budget turns to nasty argument; revenue errors sparks council fire storm

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By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Rancor and animosity bubbled over Monday night as the Bowie City Council convened into a budget workshop that dissolved into a nasty yelling match.
One councilor challenged the budget proposal she said was filled with incorrect numbers while another reminded the city manager who is his boss.
There were no actions coming out of the two-hour budget workshop.
Prior to hearing from the department heads reviewing their requests, City Manager Bert Cunningham made a few announcements that will impact the budget in some departments.
Public Works Director Dean Grant has submitted his resignation effective in two weeks, as he makes a move to Kansas.
The city has learned it scored number 89th in the loan program through the Texas Water Development Board, so it appears Bowie will not get the loan.
Cunningham said they will keep applying, but he also learned while Bowie does have aging infrastructure it also does a lot right. He pointed to cities where they have massive immediate water and sewer system issues that threaten their systems.
While the city did score high enough to obtain a loan to replace its aging sewer lines, it did get a high ranking for a Texas Community Development Block Grant and may receive a $275,000 grant to replace a sewer line in the Mill Street area under the railroad overpass.
Cunningham said a line has collapsed under the railroad and needs to be replaced.
Placing in the top six he anticipated the city will get the grant which has a $27,000 match. It has been four years since the city received a TCDB grant. Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.

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Burn ban expires, residents still urged to be cautious

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The 90-day ban on outdoor burning has expired in Montague County, but residents are urged to still exercise caution when burning. Those who plan large burns are asked to call the sheriff’s office at 8994-2871, ext. 1, to let the staff know in the event emergency fire calls come in.

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Amon Carter remains closed for boating

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Sunday, 7:00 a.m. Update – Lake Amon Carter is now at 922.80 feet, which is 2.80 feet above what is normally considered as “full”. Because of this flooding, Lake Amon Carter has been closed for boating. Selma Park has also been closed (due to electrical outages caused by the flooding). Both will reopen as soon as the water level is back below 922.00 feet.

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Commissioners’ meeting moves to Tuesday due to holiday

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Members of the Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Nov. 12, instead of Nov. 11 due to the Veterans Day holiday.
The Tuesday agenda is filled with routine items. A pair of bills connected to the development of the sewer plant for the courthouse and jail complex will be considered.
One is for $620 to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for a permit fee for the septic system and the second is $6,400 for clearing brush and a fence row around the sewer plant property. Both bills will be paid for using American Rescue program grant funds.
The court will consider adjusting pay for two sheriff’s office positions utilizing the Senate Bill 22 grant. The sheriff’s office also has received unanticipated revenue of $1,768 from the Law Enforcement Partners to go into supplies and $250 from David and Marie Dooley to be put into training.
Precinct one will present an equipment lease agreement with First National Bank leasing of Wichita Falls for the purchase of a 2025 Mack P164T truck. Precinct two will seek to accept a $5,000 donation for paving Orchard Road.
Two replats for Silver Lakes Ranch will be offered and the court will consider approving North Starr Estates Subdivision in precinct three.
The Montague County ban on outdoor burning runs out on Nov. 12 and the court is expected to let the order run its 90 days.

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