NEWS
CDL waiver of expiration dates remain in place
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding the public that the State of Disaster Declaration in response to COVID-19 remains in effect, and includes the waiver of expiration dates for commercial driver licenses (CDL).
If your Texas CDL, driver license (DL), identification card (ID) or election identification certificate (EIC) expires on or after March 13, 2020, it is covered by the Disaster Declaration waiver, and will remain valid for 60 days after DPS issues public notice that normal operations have resumed. At this time, the 60-day notice has not been issued,and Texans still have time to conduct their renewal transactions. Customers are also able to download a copy of the Verification of Driver License Expiration Extension (PDF) notice to carry with them in their vehicle.
Additionally, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended its waiver for CDLs and commercial learner’s permits (CLP) validity period from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, in response to the President’s declaration of a national emergency regarding COVID-19. This waiver is for commercial licenses or commercial permits that expired on or after March 1, 2020.
Texas DL offices are open and taking appointments statewide for CDL, DL, learner license or ID card transactions, as well as those needing to take a driving test. To further assist the public, many offices are now open on Saturdays through December (with the exception of Nov. 28) and are accepting appointments for renewals and replacements only of CDLs, DLs, and IDs. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Appointment scheduler
To make an appointment, customers must use the appointment solution system. DPS implemented this new system in May, and all services are now conducted by appointment only. This is designed to reduce the amount of time Texans spend waiting in line. Customers can now book appointments for a specific day and time, up to six months in advance, and show up 30 minutes or less before their scheduled appointment. Customers can check-in using the kiosk inside the office or from their mobile device.
A limited number of same day appointments will also be available at many DL offices. These appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers who book these appointments can then leave the DL office until their designated appointment time. Additionally, in most offices, customers without an appointment may be offered the opportunity to be placed on a “standby” list. These customers are required to wait in the office and are assisted in the event of a cancelation or a no-show. The number of standby appointments is limited to ensure all customers who are placed on the list will be served by the end of the day.
A pre-trial hearing was set for late October in the theft trial of 97th District Attorney Casey Hall.
An Oct. 31 date was selected at Friday’s arraignment for Hall on the theft of property $2,500 -$30,000 charge. Hall, appearing with her attorney Abe Factor, pled not guilty.
Matthew Shawhan, Texas Attorney General’s office, appeared for the state before Judge Lee Gabriel. It was a brief arraignment of less than 30 minutes.
After hearing the plea, there was a brief recess as the judge consulted with the court coordinator about the possible dates for a pre-trial hearing. The two attorneys also adjourned into the conference room for a brief chat.
The pre-trial hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in the district courtroom.
Hall was indicted on July 8 by a Montague County Grand Jury for two theft complaints connected to a pair of 2022 financial transactions involving Attorney General grant funds used in her office to supplement salaries. The DA is accused of requesting the funds for a staff member and then depositing the two checks at $9,166.66 each into her personal account. Hall has denied all the allegations.
The DA, who represents Montague, Clay and Archer Counties, agreed to temporary suspension in the Aug. 9 removal petition hearing and a jury trial in that civil action is pending.
Katie Boggeman, who defeated Hall in the March primary and is unchallenged in the general election, was sworn in to serve as DA during the suspension.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Bowie City Councilors accepted a proposed tax rate for 2024 and conducted the public hearing on the 2024-25 budget this week.
Those items were just part of a lengthy agenda that spanned the topics of calling an election, trash collection prices and natural gas rates.
There were no public comments in the hearing on the budget. The overall projected operational expenses total $23,296,885 with nearly comparable revenues of $23,306,568 for a closely balanced budget.
Some of the budget highlights include a 5% pay increase for hourly workers and 3% for department heads. The insurance increase is 4.9% and there are a little more than $600,000 in capital expenses for four pieces of equipment, park equipment and a 10% match for fencing at the airport. The utility fund will transfer in about $1.350,000 into the general fund and ad valorem taxes estimated at $2,587.483.
This budget’s tax rate is proposed at .5430 cents per $100 in property value. City Manager Bert Cunningham noted this is the third year for the rate to remain at this level. The public hearing for the rate and budget adoption will be on Aug. 26.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
As the Bowie Independent School District winds down its fiscal year at the end of August there are no new revenue streams expected and there is still a $1.2 million deficit looming on the horizon.
The board of trustees met Wednesday night for a 90-minute budget workshop where they focused on salary and insurance options, and realized without any real change in state funding they can expect another deficit year in 2025.
Paula Peterson, finance director, opened with an overview of the revenues in general operating, child nutrition and debt service, along with the expense reports through the end of July.
In general operating tax and other local revenue year to date totals $8,511,179 which is at 76% of its budget.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
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