NEWS
Mayor lays out ambulance costs; declining revenue hitting fund reserves hard
By BARBARA GREEN
The elimination of City of Bowie Ambulance calls outside the city limits has stirred up a storm of controversy; but, city officials say it is all about the budget and the ongoing trend of falling revenue.
In the two weeks since the Bowie City Council informed the county of the change, the rumor mill has spun a variety of tales across social media and within the community.
Some see it as a way to gradually eliminate a paid fire department and go with an all-volunteer department, and use a contract ambulance service.
There is a faction that sees it as a negotiating ploy to get the county to contribute more to its subsidy.
Last summer, city officials asked the county to increase the subsidy. It went from $18,000, which it has been for many years, to $30,000.
At Monday’s Montague County Commissioner’s Court meeting, the court indicated it is interested in working with Nocona General Hospital’s ambulance service. The hospital administrator said they need to explore the issue before making any decision.
Then others feel it is a public safety issue and there should be other places in the budget that can be reduced, including any plans for a new city complex.
The Bowie News editor sat down with Mayor Larry Slack for his view of the budget issues facing the city council today and in the near future.
Read the full news story in the weekend News.
Montague County Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on Dec. 23.
The court will consider obligating $276,961.84 of American Rescue Plan funds to completing the new wastewater treatment plant that will serve the courthouse complex. Commissioners have been working on this project much of the year.
Montague County will apply to the Nortex Regional Planning Commission for a solid waste disposal grant to purchase a tire cutter for use by all four precincts.
Developers for Kingdom Estates Phase 2 subdivision will offer a plant for lots 6-10, 16.06 acres located in precinct two.
A cooperative agreement between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the county will be presented, along with a non-exclusive license and service agreement between Local Government Solutions and Justices of the Peace one and two.
Annual bonds for seven elected officials will be offered, along with the county attorney’s 2024 Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture report.
Montague County has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist individuals with the purchase and installation of a residential storm shelter.
The shelter must be FEMA-approved and individuals must install and pay for the shelter. After installation and passing an inspection, the individual could be eligible for 50% reimbursement of the cost of the storm shelter up to a maximum $3,000 reimbursement.
The initial program allows for financial assistance for the installation of up to 100 storm shelters. Visit the Montague County website at co.montague.tx.us and click on “Safe Room Program,” and under quick links to see the qualifications and requirements for participation in the program.
There is no deadline to apply, but only 100 applicants will be accepted
It’s here, the first day of winter marked by the winter solstice at 4:21 a.m. on Dec. 21.
The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year, making it the “shortest day” of the year. Thankfully, after the winter solstice the days begin to grow longer and longer again and until the summer solstice, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year
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