NEWS
Bowie Council debates its budget; plans workshop
By BARBARA GREEN
Ambulance billing, and how it is recorded in the budget was the lead topic during Tuesday night’s Bowie City Council budget hearing along with a pair of councilors telling citizens it is not “Us against them.”
This was the first budget hearing following the official presentation of the budget on July 11. A workshop took place on July 25; however, while still waiting for certified property values and costs for health insurance there was no discussion on the budget proposal. The budget also had been reworked after the previous water-sewer rate increase was tabled.
There was a tie vote requiring the mayor’s vote on a proposal to consider a tax rate increase.
This motion is the first step in the process to discuss tax rate proposals.
Tow said this budget proposal uses a tax rate of .53 cents per $100 in property value, which is an increase of .0173 cents from the 2016 rate of .5127 cents.
For a property valued at $100,000, the tax increase would be $17.30 per year.
Councilor Wayne Bell made the motion to approve consideration a tax increase, seconded by Chuck Malone.
Terry Gunter, Douglas Boyd and Gaylynn Burris voted no. Davis voted yes breaking the tie.
Public hearings for the tax rate will on Aug. 15 and Sept. 5. After those hearings, the council will vote to approve a 2017 tax rate – which could be changed at any time during the budget process.
Read the full story in the weekend News, also see the full proposed budget on the Bowie News webpage at this link: .https://bowienewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/citys-proposed-budget.pdf
A utility vehicle accident took the life of a 14 year-old boy and seriously injured a 12-year-old boy the evening of Sept. 25 on Hildreth Pool Road.
The UTV driver,was arrested later on a complaint of driving while intoxicated.
The Department of Public Safety officers report the preliminary investigation revealed a Polaris General UTV was traveling east on Hildreth Pool Road. The driver approached a curve on a hillcrest and took “faulty evasive action” striking another vehicle.
The UTV left the roadway striking a tree and catching fire after the impact. The 14-year-old male passenger was pronounced deceased on the scene from his injuries.
The 12-year-old male received serious injuries and was taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center and as of Sunday remained in critical condition from his injuries.
Matthew Garrett was treated for minor injuries at Nocona General Hospital. The Sept. 25 Montague County jail log showed Garrett was arrested on a complaint of driving while intoxicated. Bond was not stated on the log.
The accident remains under investigation.
Two Bowie residents were killed in a one-vehicle accident in Archer County at 2:06 a.m. on Sept. 25.
According to the Department of Public Safety report, the crash occurred on State Highway 25, one mile west of the U.S. 281 intersection.
The preliminary investigation revealed Sarah Kelly 42, Bowie, was driving a 2015 Mazda CX5 east on State Highway. The driver failed to negotiate a curve, and the vehicle left the roadway rolling over. Both occupants were ejected.
Both the driver, and her five-year-old female passenger were pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries in the crash. The wreck remains under investigation reports the DPS staff.
The Nocona City Council will meet in a called session at 8 a.m. on Sept. 30 at city hall.
An executive session is on the agenda listed as consultation with the city attorney for personnel matters regarding an officer or employee. Any action would be taken back in open session.
In regular agenda items, the council will consider closing the 100 block of East Oak for a street dance during Art of the Song, plus temporary closure of streets for the homecoming parade and pep rally.
A resolution approving Ben Van Wingerden making enhancements to the downtown city park through landscaping, lighting, seating and an enclosed gazebo at no cost to the city will be reviewed.
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