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.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Trustees of the Bowie Independent School District welcomed one new member this week following the Nov. 5 election and accepted the 2023-24 outside audit with no exceptions.
Incumbent Trustee Jacky Betts returned to place one and Angie Christmas took the place two seat. After the board officers were dissolved with the new ones taking the oath, officers were elected. Betts will continue as president, Guy Green as vice president and Kent Dosch as secretary.
Paul Fleming of Edgin, Parkman, Fleming & Fleming, PC, presented the audit telling there were no issues and the process went smoothly. He noted the biggest change was the Legislature compressing the district tax rate and additional changes in the tax law. State aid formula grants increased due to the state’s funding formula compensating for lost property tax revenue due to the law change previously mentioned.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Information was the watchword for the second hospital/emergency room community meeting Tuesday night, as the steering committee was announced along with additional financial considerations.
About 50 people attended the meeting. Melody Gillespie, who was named chairperson for the committee, said the goal is to gather information to get it out into the community. This group was formed after the Bowie emergency room was closed by Faith Rural Health System in early October just shy of one year of operating in Bowie.
Kylie Ward, one of the public relations volunteers, said, “This committee is not here to force things on you and there are assumptions already we are proposing a tax. We are not, we don’t have that ability, we are just a research team here to explore all the options.”
Other members of the committee include Tiffany Chandler and Damon Benton handling finance and grant research; Jennifer Tellef, secretary; Valerie Tomerson, grant research; Ann Smith, PR and Margin Latham and Gillespie, legislative research. It was pointed out there are other members of the sub-committees who are helping with research, but they also invite anyone interested to help with the process.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo – Jack County Judge Keith Umphress spoke at this week’s steering committee meeting. (Photo by Barbara Green)
The following indictments were filed with the 97th District Clerk following the November session of the Montague County Grand Jury.
There were a total of 13 indictments with one sealed awaiting the arrest of a suspect.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Read the full list of indictments in your mid-week Bowie News.
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NEWS2 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
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