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Well acreage size driving subdivision rule debate

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By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioners met once more this week to consider updates to the subdivision regulations for the county reviewing additional information sought after the last meeting including stipulations for RV parks and mobile home developments.
The primary question still at issue is whether to stay with the present rule requiring at least a two-acre tract for a water well compared to the five-acre tract that had previously been proposed by the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District.
Following hearings on the proposed permanent rules for the UTGCD, the board has decided to back off that five-acres after two of the four counties engaged lawyers prepared to fight the rule change. Doug Shaw, district general manager, said the board felt like it was not wise to spend the amount of money it was likely to entail for litigation from parties in Parker and Hood Counties who appeared more concerned about the economic impact than any future water supply.
Several large subdivisions in those counties, plus Wise County are experiencing declining water levels as many of them operate with a water well on each lot instead of a central public water supply for that subdivision.

Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.

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BISD superintendent annual evaluation, contract set for agenda

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Several personnel issues including the superintendent’s summative evaluation and filling the vacant intermediate principal position face the Bowie School Trustees when they meet at 5:30 p.m. on June 16.
The superintendent’s review is usually done in two parts during the year with the summative an effort to evaluate overall progress. Donna Hale’s contract also will be considered. as she marks her first year leading the district.
For the intermediate principal’s job, Jason Childress left the post last month taking the new formed director of student services, which will handle many of the tasks the assistant superintendent handled such as curriculum and test scores. That assistant position was eliminated by the board after Lee Ann Farris left the job. Childress’ resignation has been submitted.
Filling the principal’s job and consideration of a rental agreement for a portion of the bus parking lot property also are set for executive session. Any action all these topics will be considered back in open session.
On the regular agenda, the board will receive the 2025 fiscal audit for Jack County. A small portion of the district runs into that county.
The superintendent will provide operational reports and personnel updates. Childress will present the preliminary STAAR scores and the status of board goals, while Paula Peterson, finance director, gives the monthly financial report.
Numerous annual items will be up for action: Contract for cafeteria software; budget amendments; consider the ESSA application, the Montague and Jack County Tax Appraisal District budgets; library books for the elementary; ESC 9 contracts and a Texas Association of School Boards policy updates.
The board also will consider offering open enrollment for pre-kindergarten students for the next school year.

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As heat rises, take precautions to be safe

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Six county fire departments earn forest service grants

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Six Montague County volunteer fire department have received grants from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The service recently approved $29.3 million in funding for grants to through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
In the fourth funding round of the year, the program awarded 531 grants addressing volunteer fire department requests for personal protective equipment, slip-on units, fire and rescue equipment, water tenders, small brush trucks and training aids.
Nocona Hills Volunteer Fire Department received a $300,000 grant for a water tender vehicle. Montague and Sunset VFDs each received $45,000 for a slip-on unit, and the Nocona rural, Nocona city and Saint Jo VFDs each received $25,000 for fire and rescue equipment.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

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