NEWS

Nocona ISD voters ponder impact of a bond issue

Published

8 years ago

10/29/2016

By DANI BLACKBURN
The current Nocona High School was built in 1952; a time when telephones had just made their way into American homes, children road in their mother’s lap in the car and a gallon of gas could be purchased for 20 cents.
The world has transformed since the first students graced the halls of the current high school, and now some of those student’s grandchildren sit in the same classrooms.
While the needs for a new high school may be understandable, the financial impact of building such a facility is raising concerns among Nocona taxpayers.
Nocona Independent School District officials will ask voters for a second time this year to approve a bond package to build a new high school.
The $16.8 million bond is $1.7 million higher than the original proposal presented in May, which failed 552-426.

The tax impact of the bond proposal is anticipated to be 0.437 cents per $100 value. The total tax rate is expected to be $1.477, with the current maintenance and operation rate at $1.04. Nocona ISD currently has no debt.

Read the full story on the tax impact connected with approval of this bond issue in your Saturday News.

NEWS

Early deadline for New Year’s week paper

Published

1 day ago

12/24/2024

bowienews

The Bowie News office will be closed Dec. 24-25 for the Christmas holiday, and Dec. 30 and Jan. 1.
There is an early deadline of 4 p.m. on Dec. 27 for the Jan. 1 Bowie News for all news and ad items.
Your Jan. 1 edition will be delivered to the mail and racks one day earlier due to the New Year’s holiday. We hope you have a great Christmas week.

NEWS

Published

1 day ago

12/24/2024

bowienews

Your Bowie News staff wishes you the blessings of a wonderful Christmas as you enjoy time with family and friends. Our offices will be closed Dec. 24-25 for the holiday.

NEWS

County obligates ARPA funds for sewer plant project

Published

1 day ago

12/24/2024

bowienews

Montague County Commissioners wrapped up a few items before the end of the year as they met on Dec. 23.
Grant Coordinator Charley Lanier asked the court to go ahead and obligate $276,961.84 from the American Rescue Funds to complete the new wastewater treatment plant that will serve the courthouse complex.
He explained Dec. 30 is the last date where grant funds can be obligated, and he did not expect any issues since this project had already been approved in court using ARPA funds, he called it a “safety net,” to avoid any problem and possible return of the funds to the federal government.

Montague County has about $276,961.84 in grant funds which has not been allocated.
The court gave approval on the request.
Lanier also asked the court to apply for a grant for a tire cutter. Funded through the Nortex Regional Planning Commission and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the application will ask for $26,865 to purchase a larger gas-powered cutter on a trailer, which can be moved around for use. It would cut the larger tires into four pieces, which would be allowed into a landfill. Lanier said if the cutter comes through the county would need to obtain a permit for its use from TCEQ, which he added should not be an issue.
Commissioner Mark Murphey said he picks up more tires abandoned on the county roads than he disposes of at his own yard, adding he probably has 500 at his yard. The court gave approval to apply for this competitive grant.
The remainder of Monday’s brief meeting were year-end items. Bonds for the justice of the peace one, county clerk, county attorney, district attorney, sheriff, commissioner three and constable two were accepted.
A cooperative agreement with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the county was approved, along with a license and services agreement with Local Government Solutions to provide software for both justice of the peace officers. The county attorney’s Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture report was presented with no new seizures or forfeiture.