NEWS
Bowie Council fills board spots; addresses delinquent tax collection
By BARBARA GREEN
Bowie City Councilors filled spots on two of its boards and increased the penalty to defray the costs of collecting delinquent taxes at its Tuesday night meeting.
Tony Fidelie Jr.of Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins and Mott LLP, a Wichita Falls law firm that collects delinquent taxes for the city discussed amending its contract in two areas.
• Setting an earlier date for the early turnover of business personal property moving from July 1 to April 1. Fidelie explained this is property used by a business to generate income such as inventory, furniture, fixtures, etc.
When taxes go delinquent on Feb 1 under Texas law those taxes can be turned over to an outside law firm for collection on July 1 if they remain unpaid. The tax code was recently changed to allow the earlier date, which Fidelie said allows the firm to get a “jump start” on those accounts and “hopefully get them collected before businesses go out of business or inventory is otherwise liquidated.
• Raise the amount used to defray costs from 15 to 20 percent. When taxes are turned over on July 1 a 15 percent penalty is attached.
If someone owes the entity $1,000, the 15 percent ($150) is added to the bill. The firm collects the full amount giving the entity $1,000 and keeping the $150 to pay its bills.
Fidelie said the law is set up so the taxing entity does not have to pay for collection services or the taxpayers who pay on time.
In 2001 the legislature changed the rate to 20 percent. Fidelie said they are working with their other customers in Montague County to make this change in 2017 to accommodate increased expenses most businesses experience.
Read the full story in the weekend News.
Mill St. between Wise St. & Tarrant St. is closed due to sewer repairs. Work should take 2-3 hours.
Please plan accordingly.
Members of the Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on April 8 in the council for its only meeting for the month.
The city manager’s report opens the meeting as he discusses the bid openings for the sewer line replacement project phase two and the North Smythe Street sidewalk reconstruction.
There is only one old item of business, the second reading of the ordinance amending water rates. The average residential customer using 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of water per month will see an increase of $5 to $7.50 based on usage. This is the first water rate increase since 2018.
There are multiple items of new business. The 2023-24 outside audit will be presented by the staff of Mathis, West and Huffines. Four replat requests will be offered through the planning and zoning recommendations.
Base bid amounts for the sewer line replacement project phase two and the Smythe Street sidewalk project also will be reviewed. For the sewer project the base bid is $1,558,103.30. For the sidewalk it is $327,860.66. The sewer work is funded through a loan to the city from the Texas Development Board and the sidewalk through a Downtown Community Development grant program with the city having a matching portion.
The final item before public comments are two ordinance amending the mobile food vendors rules and permits.
After a successful multi-part workshop series last year, the Bowie Business Boost returns with a two-part workshop to take your business to the next level of effectiveness and profitability.
Attend this “AI Made Simple Workshop: Conquer the Tech Chaos and Win Fast” planned for April 24 and May 8. These will be breakfast programs from 7:30 to 10 a.m. The program will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. with questions and answers to follow. Breakfast will be served 7:30 to 8 a.m.
The programs will be at the Bowie Community Center-west hall. Registration is $20 which includes both sessions. Registration is transferable. Register at accelerationbydesign.com/event-details/bowiebusinessboost25.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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