COUNTY LIFE
Commissioners to wrap up budget, tax rate
Montague County Commissioners plan to wrap up their budget and tax rate for the new fiscal year when the court meets on Sept. 9 for two separate meeting agendas.
Starting at 8:45 a.m., there will be a public hearing for the 2019-20 proposed budget. The court is considering expenditures of $9,363,161 in the general fund with projected revenue at $9,394,044.
The expense budget for each of the road and bridge precincts are as follows: Precinct one, expenses, $875,119 and revenue $884,351; precinct two, $917,023 and $929,351; precinct three, $1,081,188 and $1,094,351 and precinct four, $1,058,274 and $1,094,351.
Some of the big additions to the budget this year include a five percent pay increase for all employees, $2,000 in additional pay for sheriff’s deputies and sergeants. There was some new software added in the county treasurer and auditor’s offices, plus replacements of computers in some of the other offices.
The regular meeting agenda starts at 9 a.m. There is a budget workshop scheduled for any final changes, followed by consideration of adopting the budget and the proposed tax rate of .55 cents per $100 in property value.
While this is the same rate as last year, due to the increase in property values it is considered an increase of 1.53 percent. It is projected to generate an additional $171,188 in ad valorem tax revenue this year. A copy of the proposed budget is available in the county clerk’s office.
Several routine monthly items are on this agenda: Veteran’s service office and sheriff’s office activity report for August, approval of the Texas Association of Counties Liability Renewal Questionnaire and consent agenda of bills, payroll and minutes.
A joint election agreement with the City of Bowie and Bowie Independent School District for the Nov. 5 elections will be presented.
The court will consider distribution of the unclaimed property capitol credit funds from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
A bid has been submitted by Marja Properties for a tax sale for lot 55 in Nocona Hills and a final plat has been prepared for lots 1-11 in Cherokee Trails. In another property issue Steve Spurlock has asked to run a water line around the county right-of-way on Carter Court in Silver Lakes.
The final items are acceptance of unanticipated revenue of $500 to the sheriff’s office from Texas State University and $10 donated to the tax office.
In recognition of National Adoption Awareness Month this November, Texas Community Counseling and the Heart Gallery of Northwest Texas are partnering to bring resources to Montague County families.
The two organizations will host an adoption, foster care and kinship care resource fair on Nov. 14 at the United Presbyterian Church of Montague County Fellowship Hall, located at 300 W. Nelson St. in Bowie.
The resource fair will run from 10 a.m. to noon, bringing together local agencies and service providers to answer questions and share information about support available within the county.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
Members of the Montague County Historical Commission invite the community to join them on Nov. 14 for a Rolling Bus Tour.
This tour will cover the cemeteries in the south west corner of Montague County. You will have the opportunity to stroll through some of the cemeteries, others the bus will stop and Commission member Calvin Durham will tell the history of the cemetery.
The bus tour will meet at the Old Jail in Montague at 9 a.m. and return at approximately 3 p.m. The tour will include a sack lunch, a brochure of each cemetery visited and a book “This Soil will Grow Grapes” written by Melvin Fenoglio.
The cost of the tour is $20 for adults. There is no charge for children under 12. The commission members strive to preserve the history of the county and to share as much of it as possible with our citizens. You can RSVP by calling 940-841-2674 or 940-872-1007. Please leave a message with your name if there is no answer.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System at 1:20 p.m. on Nov. 17.
FEMA’s emergency alert system is a national public warning system made up of thousands of radio, TV, cable and satellite and wireline video providers. Through the EAS, the President can address the American people or share life-saving information with the public during a national emergency.
FEMA is required by law to conduct a nationwide test of the public alert and warning system at least once every three years. These tests allow FEMA to identify technical or operational issues before the system is needed during an actual emergency.
FEMA and the FCC are sharing the test date in advance because it is important the public understands what to expect on the day of the test.
At approximately 1:20 p.m. (Central time), on Nov. 17, all the electronics providers will interrupt normal programming to relay a test message.
This message will state: This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency management Agency, covering the United States from 1:20 to 1:50 p.m. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”
When the test is concluded, normal programming will resume.
FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with stakeholders, including participating communications providers as well as federal, state, tribal and territorial agencies to prepare for and conduct the test.
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