NEWS
County accepts tax rolls, calls special runoff vote
Montague County Commissioners handled a brief agenda Monday that included calling the special State Senate runoff election for Dec. 19 and accepting the anticipated tax totals for 2020.
The court is still running one short, as Commissioner Mark Murphey continues to recover following surgery.
Tax Assessor-Collector Kathryn Phillips presented to tax figures to the court. Taxable value is $1,962,961,209 and taxes are $10,651,780.59. Montague County has 100,082 properties which will be taxed.
County Elections Administrator Ginger Wall presented the order call the Dec. 19 runoff election for District 30 State Senate. Wall also got approval to consolidate the runoff to the four locations that presently serve for early voting in Bowie, Nocona, Saint Jo and Montague.
District 68 State Representative Drew Springer will face Metroplex area business owner Shelley Luther in the runoff. Neither won the required majority in the six-person race in September.
The county will amend its agreement with the Texas Association of Counties, which hosts the county website to add a secure sockets layer certificate. Jessica Thomas, county technology director, said these connections protect sensitive data such as credit cards that may be exchanged during a webpage session.
She explained while the county’s website does not collect customer data it would provide an additional layer of security at a relatively low cost of $150 a year. Thomas added hackers often target smaller businesses with ransom ware so there would be a precaution. The request was approved.
Commissioner Bob Langford told the court it has been brought to his attention they need to post any new subdivisions or requests for plat revisions on the county website 30 days before they come to the court for consideration. Thomas said if the court forwarded her those requests she would make sure they go on the website.
NEWS
Commissioners to meet on Dec. 23
Montague County Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on Dec. 23.
The court will consider obligating $276,961.84 of American Rescue Plan funds to completing the new wastewater treatment plant that will serve the courthouse complex. Commissioners have been working on this project much of the year.
Montague County will apply to the Nortex Regional Planning Commission for a solid waste disposal grant to purchase a tire cutter for use by all four precincts.
Developers for Kingdom Estates Phase 2 subdivision will offer a plant for lots 6-10, 16.06 acres located in precinct two.
A cooperative agreement between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the county will be presented, along with a non-exclusive license and service agreement between Local Government Solutions and Justices of the Peace one and two.
Annual bonds for seven elected officials will be offered, along with the county attorney’s 2024 Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture report.
NEWS
New storm shelter grants available
Montague County has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist individuals with the purchase and installation of a residential storm shelter.
The shelter must be FEMA-approved and individuals must install and pay for the shelter. After installation and passing an inspection, the individual could be eligible for 50% reimbursement of the cost of the storm shelter up to a maximum $3,000 reimbursement.
The initial program allows for financial assistance for the installation of up to 100 storm shelters. Visit the Montague County website at co.montague.tx.us and click on “Safe Room Program,” and under quick links to see the qualifications and requirements for participation in the program.
There is no deadline to apply, but only 100 applicants will be accepted
COUNTY LIFE
First day of winter arrives
It’s here, the first day of winter marked by the winter solstice at 4:21 a.m. on Dec. 21.
The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year, making it the “shortest day” of the year. Thankfully, after the winter solstice the days begin to grow longer and longer again and until the summer solstice, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year
-
NEWS2 years ago
2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS1 year ago
Suspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS2 years ago
SO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years ago
Wreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS1 year ago
Murder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years ago
Bowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint