NEWS
Council splits on budget, rates during angry session (Tuesday called meeting update)
UPDATE FROM THE SEPT. 17, CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING
In one of the briefest Bowie City Council meetings in recent history, the panel approved all four items of business: Adoption of the rate schedules for water and wastewater, adoption of the budget for 2018-19 and first reading of the ordinance to set the tax rate. The vote margins were the same as in the prior meetings. See the full story of the meeting in the weekend News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Things got nasty and personal within the Bowie City Council last Friday night as the members debated proposed rate structures and the 2018-19 fiscal budget.
The called meeting for 5 p.m. Friday was necessary after the council tabled action on all those items on Sept. 10. With a Sept. 20 deadline to allow enough time to publish the ordinances, hours were ticking away for the budget that starts Oct. 1.
When the council met on Sept. 10, two members, Machelle Mills and Terry Gunter were absent and the motion was passed seeking a full council.
Before discussion even got under way the tension was obvious.
Councilor Chuck Malone moved to approve the water rates with a three percent increase. When it appeared Mayor Gaylynn Burris may move ahead with a vote, Councilor Craig Stallcup, who has been the most vocal council opponent of any rate increases, asked “are we not going to have a debate first, seriously?”
Stallcup then proceeded to tell the mayor they were not following parliamentary procedure anyway. It was a rocky start.
Stallcup opposes any rate increases, reiterating his earlier arguments. While he supports the restructuring of the rates, his intention was to see any increase offset in the electric rates.
In the end the budget was adopted, along with the two rate ordinances on split votes as two ties were broken by the mayor. Read the full story in the mid-week News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioner’s Court reluctantly returned money to the state connected to Senate Bill 22 in fiscal 2024.
During Monday’s regular session, County Auditor Charley Lanier explained the three transactions. SB 22 provided funding for prosecutor offices to assist with paying staff, and in the sheriff’s office for staff and equipment.
If all the money was not spent it had to be returned. Lanier explained the fund was approved in 2024, but it arrived after the fiscal year began and commissioners did not want to spend any of until the funds actually arrived in county coffers.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
The Saint Jo City Council had a brief meeting on June 17.
The 2026-27 budgets for appraisal and tax collections from the Montague County Tax Appraisal District were approved. The tax collection budget faces a 3.71% increase and 2.2% in the appraisal budget.
The city’s payment for tax collections will go from $1,305 for the year down slightly from $1,445 last year. The appraisal portion for Saint Jo will be $9,526, up from $9,361 in 2026.
A municipal election for Nov. 3 was called. Places open on the ballot will be mayor, and the places filled by Melissa McPherson and Jack Dunn, who was appointed to fill out a term.
The council approved a resolution to apply for grants for water infra structure improvements through the Texas Water Development Board. The city is working with engineers from Corlett, Probst and Boyd of Wichita Falls on a proposed project.
The 60th anniversary Jim Bowie Days Celebration opened on June 20th with a full day of activities focusing on sports and a barbecue cookoff.
Festivities continue throughout the week highlight by rodeo, youth rodeo, kid’s activities and Pioneer Court. The second annual Smokedown BBQ Cookout began on Friday night with the steak and beans contests. Three other categories for chicken ribs and brisket followed on Saturday. There were 27 teams, four more than last year.
Conducted by Outlaw BBQ, the grand champion was Vinny McNamara, with 36 points. Steve Cumbie was reserve grand champion with 26 points.
Read about all the weekend’s winners complete with many photos in your Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – The first annual pickleball tourney drew 17 teams. Teams greet each other before they start play (Photo by Barbara Green0
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News