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Commissioners await second tax rate public hearing

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The Montague County Commissioner’s Court will conduct the last of two public hearings on the proposed tax rate at 8:45 a.m. on Aug. 26 prior to the start of the 9 a.m. regular court session.
At the first hearing on Aug. 22 there were no comments offered to the court. Montague County is considering a tax rate of .55 cents per $100 in property value, and while this is the same as the present rate due to an increase in values it is considered a 1.53 percent increase. It is projected to generate an additional $171,188 in ad valorem tax revenue this year.
Commissioners also have a budget workshop planned for Monday’s agenda. A draft of the budget proposal is available in the county clerk’s office.
At the last workshop on Aug. 16, the court changed a pay increase for county deputies providing a $2,000 increase for starting officers and $2,000 for the corporals. Previously the amount had been $5,000. The budget proposal contains a five percent pay increase for all employees.
A public hearing for the budget will be at 8:45 a.m. on Sept. 9, prior to the regular court session. The county’s fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Other topics
Sheriff and constable fees will be examined by the court as the new budget year prepares to get underway.
A resolution to adopt the EVS 600 Voting System for Montague County will be reviewed, along with a contract with Scytle Software. This relates to the new voting machines.
A bid for a lot in Nocona will be considered, along with a $22,000 donation in precinct two for chip and seal for Key’s Landing and a revenue budget amendment in precinct one for $19,914.80 in unanticipated revenue.
The monthly veteran’s service office report will be given plus an update on the county mitigation plan.

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Amon Carter Lake Board to meet

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Members of the Amon Carter Lake Water Supply Corporation will meet at 6 p.m. on May 26 in the office at 607A Lindsey for a monthly meeting.
Items on the agenda include a consent agenda and minutes and financials. Possible discussion/action may be considered on the following topics: Treasurer’s report, review of finance and current loans; president’s report as to the written agreements with contractual employees; consider current water rates and a possible increase; and review of expenses and areas that need amendment.
An executive session may be entered to discuss personnel issues.

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Saint Jo City Council hires fire marshal

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The City of Saint Jo has a new fire marshal as the city council made the appointment during its May 13 meeting.
Gary Hines, a retired professional firefighter and certified fire investigator, will take the position. City Secretary Debbie Dennis said the post is required by ordinance but has not been filled for a long period.
The council set dates for a budget workshop for 2 p.m. on June 14 and 2 p.m. on June 28 for the ordinance workshop, as the council works to update its rules.

Aldermen gave their support to a proposition by Councilman Jack Dunn who is asking the Legislature to allow Texas’ smallest cities, those with 2,500 or few in population, to receive an additional share of sales and use tax. He would like to see the funds used in these communities to repair and replace aging infrastructure without new taxes or reliance on state grants.
In letter to State Rep. David Spiller, whom Dunn will meet with on June 1, the alderman explains much of the state’s 6.25% share generated locally flows into general funds and is spent on other priorities. He would like Spiller to author this legislation. Dunn gave the letter to the council along with a powerpoint on the plan.
“A single water treatment plant upgrade or sewer rehab carries massive, fixed costs that do not shrink with population size. These communities, often with only a few hundred or a couple thousands residents, simply cannot spread those costs across enough ratepayers or a broad tax based,” the letter states.
Dunn suggests a “graduated sales tax retention policy:” 1% additional share for cities with 2,500 or fewer residents; .75% for those 2,500 and 5,000; and .50% for cities between 5,001 and 10,000. It would be dedicated to infrastructure. Dunn says the overall statewide fiscal impact would be negligible, but could help sustain small, rural cities.

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City of Nocona buys water storage tank, review dam repair

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The Nocona City Council approved a bid for a new 203,000 gallon capacity tank for potable water at the water plant and learned a slide repair to the lake dam is going to be pretty costly.
At its May 12 session the council received three bids on the tank and went with one from Tank Depot of Cleburne for $193,923. It is for a a 217,600 gallon tank usable for 203,000 gallons. The price could change slightly since it was based on estimate freight costs.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

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