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By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
In its first planning workshop of the year, the Bowie City Council reviewed an extensive infrastructure needs plan, electric costs and 10 years of historical budget data during its two-hour session Monday night.
There were some harsh realities debated as the council tackles long-term problems centered primarily around infrastructure.
Public Works Director Stony Lowrance provided a six-page infrastructure plan for water, sewer and streets. He began work on this plan in August using details from the previous drainage report and cost estimates he obtained from engineers.
Lowrance explained the basic costs of chip and seal, which is the process the city staff can do, compared to asphalt. He pointed to priority streets in the next five years that include drainage, crossings, line replacement and reconstructing streets where work is done.
He also provided costs if some streets were contracted out for asphalt.
“We are way behind now due to weather, but in a good year we can do about two miles a year. The cost of material and fuel also impact costs. With the people I have and the equipment, we are doing the best we can. There are a lot of issues with infrastructure and all cities no matter the size have the same problems, we just waited a bit too late to address them, so it kind of backed up on us,” said Lowrance.

Read the full story in your weekend Bowie News. Read below the infrastructure plan for streets, water and sewer and the airport that was presented Tuesday night. Pictured above members of the Bowie City Council and city staff examine documents at Monday’s workshop. (Photo by Barbara Green)

The National Weather Service says 2024 is among the wettest year-to-date. As of May 14 it is the sixth wettest for both the Dallas-Fort Worth and Waco areas.
The year 1990 was number one with 28.49 inches of rain.
Through the end of May Bowie received a total of 22.6 inches of rain. May recorded 8.79 inches alone. April had 5.58, March 3.70, February, 1.63 and January, 2.90.
Nocona recorded a total of 22.83 inches. For May it saw 7.54 inches of rain, April 8.6 inches, March, 1.97, February, 1.84 and January 2.88.

While the Bowie City Council was focused on its planning workshop and electric power discussion this week, there were numerous other action items on the agenda.
Responding to complaints about the condition of the walking trail at Pelham Park, councilors Monday approved a request to pay for temporary patching and make plans to resurface it in the next budget year. Public Works Director Stony Lowrance said they have done some patching and plan to redig a ditch line near the pool were water goes along the trail.
He added the street department is already behind due to the wet weather, so he does not think it will be possible to get to it this year. The patching costs run around $4,168 and those invoices were accepted.
During the recent parks board meeting it was reported they have a bid of $20,000 for the resurfacing, which Parks Department Head Clyde Johnson said he would ask for it in his capital improvements budget for 2024-25 and would depend on council approval.

Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.