COUNTY LIFE
County budget, tax rate up for vote Monday
Montague County Commissioners will conduct public hearings and are expected to adopt the budget and tax rate during its Aug. 24 meeting.
The tax rate hearing will begin at 8:30 a.m., the budget hearing at 8:45 a.m. and the regular meeting at 9 a.m.
Commissioners could make last minute changes to the budget as a workshop is set on the agenda prior to the action item to adopt it. Budget expenses are proposed at: General fund, $9,434,015; indigent health care – $486,984; road and bridge one, $1,163,913; precinct two, $995,975; precinct three, $1,140,975 and precinct four, $1,000,975.
The proposed tax rate will be .5641 cents per $100 in property value. It will be broken down as follows: .4401 cents in maintenance and operation; .1289 special road and bridge and .0168 cents for debt.
Several election topics will be discussed including the order calling the November election, joint election agreements with the Cities of Bowie and Nocona, and schools districts in Montague and Bowie and approve the 2020 Help America Vote Act Election Security sub-grant to Texas counties.
Veteran’s Service Officer Colm Murphy will address the duties of his current assistant. During the recent budget workshops Murphy asked the assistant position salary be increased to a deputy clerk due to additional training.
A data processing service agreement between Justice Solutions and the sheriff’s office will be examined. The sheriff is looking to add six software licenses in use at the his office. He had hoped to purchase new software, but commissioners have indicated they can’t make it work in this year’s budget.
The 2020-21 county clerk records management and archive yearly plan will be reviewed, along with the energy capital reimbursement distribution.
In other agenda items: Precinct four will present a finance agreement for a motor grader; precinct one budget adjustment from gravel to part-time and renting an excavator; precinct one to enter the Mike Berkley property to clean debris from a bridge waterway; precinct one buying two acres on Farm-to-Market Road 455 for a maintenance and storage yard and precinct two accepting donations for chip sealing Tage Road.
Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Nov. 25.
Members will consider an anti-fraud policy and adding it to the personnel policy. The annual liability renewal with the Texas Association of Counties Risk Pool will be reviewed.
Montague County officials will be enrolling in the TAC 2025 certified cybersecurity course required by the state for all employees who use county computers.
Other topics for Monday will include the bond for the county treasurer, review an account application with Schad & Pulte Welding Supply, Inc and consider raising the road hand clothing allowance from $500 to $1,000.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
It was family night for the City of Bowie Fire Department as members gathered for the annual pre-Thanksgiving awards dinner this week.
Firefighter of the Year awards, service awards and officers and firefighters were pinned with their new badges.
Fire Chief Doug Page opened the evening with a remembrance of a fallen firefighter, James Dunham who died 25 years ago on Nov. 18. This Saint Jo firefighter was responding to a car accident at Forestburg and after he arrived suffered a heart attack. Page noted his daughter is auxiliary member Renee Hart.
Chad Long, member of the department for one year and one month received the Firefighter of the Year Award. Kelly Tomlin, nine-year member, was selected by the volunteers to receive the Roy Gene Williams Award.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo- New lieutenants Michael Burrows and Chad Gerlach received the oath from Mayor Gaylynn Burris. (Photo by Barbara Green)
The new Montague County Animal Rescue, which will be helping with operation of the new county animal shelter, invite you to “Wine Like A Dog” on Dec. 3 at Kimber Creek Wine Bar and Gift Shop in downtown Bowie.
The evening will include wine and charcuterie from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., while raising funds for the rescue organization. Tickets are $50.
Melanie Gillespie of Montague County Animal Rescue said the new 501c3 has completed its agreement to work with Montague County operating the animal shelter.
“Your support enables us to launch the opening of the first county-run animal shelter. We invite you to join our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and finding loving homes for animals in need,” said Gillespie.
Limited tickets will be offered at the door based on availability. Those with questions may call Gillespie at 469-951-0215 or email [email protected].
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