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County judge issues new executive order; clarifies it’s not a shelter in place order

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Montague County Judge Rick Lewis issued an executive order Thursday afternoon declaring the county’s emergency management plan was activated and ordering those who may be sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 stay home.
Some read the order as a directive for all to stay home, but in a clarification letter on Friday Lewis said it was not the case.
As with similar orders from the federal and state level, the intent is to protect the physical health and well-being of county citizens, as well as protect their financial health. The focus is to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible, while “safeguarding the Constitutional liberties of Montague County citizens by utilizing the least restrictive means possible and encouraging the highest level of personal responsibility.”
The order stated during this period of emergency all resources within the limits of Montague County and its municipalities, both publicly and privately owned, will be used when deemed necessary by local government officials and upon orders of the county judge under the authority of Texas Government Code 418.017.
Some confusion may have been based on the last sentence in the section related to people who may have symptoms or already sick. Some took the last sentence to mean everyone should remain at home. The judge said

no that was not the intent, and while he was not ordering “at risk” groups to stay home it was highly encouraged.
As for business the order outlines recommendations for them to remain open, but take all precautions. Lewis’ Friday letter states he encourages all businesses to work to keep their doors open and the work space safe for employees. He also asked residents to support local stores and restaurants while maintaining a safe distance.

Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News. See the full March 26 order and the March 27 letter below.

Letter from Montague County Judge Rick Lewis on March 27, 2020.
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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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