NEWS
County tax rate hearing on Aug. 23
Montague County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on the proposed 2021 tax rate at 8:45 a.m. on Aug. 23, followed by the regular agenda of the court at 9 a.m.
At the Aug. 9 meeting commissioners voted to consider retaining the same rate as 2020 at .5641 cents per $100 in property value. Overall property values increased by $92,477,405 this year, which will push the tax revenue up slightly.
The average homestead taxable value on county property is $108,261.80, which is up .91% above last year. The tax increase on the average homestead will be about $610.70, an increase of $53.18 for the year.
A budget workshop is set for the regular agenda, followed by the adoption of the budget for 2021-22 and the 2021 tax rate.
The order calling the constitutional amendment election for Nov. 2 will be presented, along with a change of location for a polling place in the county.
Sheriff’s and constable fees for the new fiscal year will be examined, and the court will consider changing a correction officer classification to a maintenance position at the sheriff’s office.
Other topics on the agenda will include: Imposition of optional driver motor vehicle fees for 2022; approve Texas unclaimed property government claim for $1,184.08; approve lease agreement between Hewlett-Package Financial Services and the 97th District Court; approve online education for county commissioners and an easement between Atmos Energy and the county for a sum of $9,454.25.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Trustees of the Bowie Independent School District welcomed one new member this week following the Nov. 5 election and accepted the 2023-24 outside audit with no exceptions.
Incumbent Trustee Jacky Betts returned to place one and Angie Christmas took the place two seat. After the board officers were dissolved with the new ones taking the oath, officers were elected. Betts will continue as president, Guy Green as vice president and Kent Dosch as secretary.
Paul Fleming of Edgin, Parkman, Fleming & Fleming, PC, presented the audit telling there were no issues and the process went smoothly. He noted the biggest change was the Legislature compressing the district tax rate and additional changes in the tax law. State aid formula grants increased due to the state’s funding formula compensating for lost property tax revenue due to the law change previously mentioned.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Information was the watchword for the second hospital/emergency room community meeting Tuesday night, as the steering committee was announced along with additional financial considerations.
About 50 people attended the meeting. Melody Gillespie, who was named chairperson for the committee, said the goal is to gather information to get it out into the community. This group was formed after the Bowie emergency room was closed by Faith Rural Health System in early October just shy of one year of operating in Bowie.
Kylie Ward, one of the public relations volunteers, said, “This committee is not here to force things on you and there are assumptions already we are proposing a tax. We are not, we don’t have that ability, we are just a research team here to explore all the options.”
Other members of the committee include Tiffany Chandler and Damon Benton handling finance and grant research; Jennifer Tellef, secretary; Valerie Tomerson, grant research; Ann Smith, PR and Margin Latham and Gillespie, legislative research. It was pointed out there are other members of the sub-committees who are helping with research, but they also invite anyone interested to help with the process.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo – Jack County Judge Keith Umphress spoke at this week’s steering committee meeting. (Photo by Barbara Green)
The following indictments were filed with the 97th District Clerk following the November session of the Montague County Grand Jury.
There were a total of 13 indictments with one sealed awaiting the arrest of a suspect.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Read the full list of indictments in your mid-week Bowie News.
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