NEWS
Electric rate ordinance back on agenda for second reading
The Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on March 25 in the council chambers, 307 N. Mason.
Council members are expected to debate once more an electric rate ordinance, which is up for its second reading. The electric rate plan was approved last fall, but it was implemented without a new ordinance. This new ordinance corrects that issue. Previously the city’s engineer had submitted an ordinance to be considered back in 2016 when the last rate hike was implemented, however, it was not put up for council action.
When the most recent rate plan was submitted the engineers reportedly thought the other ordinance had been approved and a new one was not needed. The electric rate reduction was effective Dec. 1, 2018 and was a 90-10 split with 90 percent of the reduction going to residential and 10 percent to industrial.
Two councilors, who were not on the panel when that rate plan was adopted, debated a change to the overall rate plan to spread the reduction out among all rate classes. Council Chuck Malone said it was the council thought giving the reduction to residential would impact the most people and if another reduction was possible it would go to the commercial classes. The ordinance passed with no changes and will face its second reading Tuesday.
An ordinance prohibiting the use of jake brakes by large trucks within the city limits also faces a second reading.
In new business, the 2017-18 outside audit will be presented by officials from Mathis, West and Huffines. A policy for internal controls and cash handling will be considered.
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.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewonline.com
About 20 people attended the first of what Mayor Kelly Williamson expects to be regular town hall sessions where citizens can be informed or ask questions on issues in the City of Saint Jo.
Williamson and Police Chief Harvey Johnson conducted the meeting. The mayor was elected last year and is retired from the United States Army. He and his wife, Cathy, moved to Saint Jo about three years ago looking to set down some roots after the military. Their son is serving in the 101st Airborne Division.
The mayor said the top pressing issues he sees for the city are streets, then water and sewer systems. However, he exclaimed it all takes money to do that work, and even if state or federal grants those are often funded 80-20, which still leaves a big hunk for the city to fund.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – Saint Jo Police Chief Harvey Johnson, Fire Chief Scott Thomas and Mayor Kelly Williamson discussed needs in the city at Saturday’s town hall. (News photo by Barbara Green)
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