NEWS
BISD trustees set to adopt tax rate, budget
Trustees of the Bowie Independent School District will approve the budget and tax rate for the new fiscal year in a pair of called meetings early on Aug. 31.
The public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate will start at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
At the Aug. 15 meeting, the board was finalizing expenses projected at $19,944,044 with revenues estimated at $19,845,615.
The district is looking at a 2022 tax rate of $1.03460 per $100 in property value. This is .0893 cents below the 2021 rate of $1.1239.
That rate is broken down in .85460 cents for maintenance and operation and .18 cents for debt services.
BISD is projecting $10,143,022 in M&O taxes compared to $9,681,482 last year. Certified property values went up in 2022 by $152,719,627, which pushed the tax rate down.
When local values go up, state funding usually goes down. The district is projecting state revenue at $5,344,410 for 2022-23 compared to $5,418,385 last year.
The second meeting will be called at 7:15 a.m. This agenda includes approval of amendments to the 2021-22 budget, designation of committed fund balance for district needs; approval of the salary schedule for 2022-23, budget and 2022 tax rate.
NEWS
Commissioners return unspent state grant funds
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioner’s Court reluctantly returned money to the state connected to Senate Bill 22 in fiscal 2024.
During Monday’s regular session, County Auditor Charley Lanier explained the three transactions. SB 22 provided funding for prosecutor offices to assist with paying staff, and in the sheriff’s office for staff and equipment.
If all the money was not spent it had to be returned. Lanier explained the fund was approved in 2024, but it arrived after the fiscal year began and commissioners did not want to spend any of until the funds actually arrived in county coffers.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
NEWS
Saint Jo Council calls November election
The Saint Jo City Council had a brief meeting on June 17.
The 2026-27 budgets for appraisal and tax collections from the Montague County Tax Appraisal District were approved. The tax collection budget faces a 3.71% increase and 2.2% in the appraisal budget.
The city’s payment for tax collections will go from $1,305 for the year down slightly from $1,445 last year. The appraisal portion for Saint Jo will be $9,526, up from $9,361 in 2026.
A municipal election for Nov. 3 was called. Places open on the ballot will be mayor, and the places filled by Melissa McPherson and Jack Dunn, who was appointed to fill out a term.
The council approved a resolution to apply for grants for water infra structure improvements through the Texas Water Development Board. The city is working with engineers from Corlett, Probst and Boyd of Wichita Falls on a proposed project.
NEWS
Sports, cookoff, barrels kick off Jim Bowie Days
The 60th anniversary Jim Bowie Days Celebration opened on June 20th with a full day of activities focusing on sports and a barbecue cookoff.
Festivities continue throughout the week highlight by rodeo, youth rodeo, kid’s activities and Pioneer Court. The second annual Smokedown BBQ Cookout began on Friday night with the steak and beans contests. Three other categories for chicken ribs and brisket followed on Saturday. There were 27 teams, four more than last year.
Conducted by Outlaw BBQ, the grand champion was Vinny McNamara, with 36 points. Steve Cumbie was reserve grand champion with 26 points.
Read about all the weekend’s winners complete with many photos in your Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – The first annual pickleball tourney drew 17 teams. Teams greet each other before they start play (Photo by Barbara Green0

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