NEWS
Bowie City Council questions cost of Nelson Street repairs
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The Bowie City Council gave final approval to the 2022-23 budget and passed the first reading of the ordinance setting the 2022 tax rate.
City officials also were updated on projected costs to repair the Nelson Street flooding damage.
In his monthly report, City Manager Bert Cunningham said the flooding in August made the already rusted-out culverts under Nelson Street at Kiwanis Park “hazardous at best and dangerous at worse.”
While a portion of the streets near those culverts collapsed, it also raised concerns the street weakened above those culverts could collapse under a heavy load. The dropbox at the intersection of Nelson and Mill also is collapsing.
“The culverts under Nelson Street need to be replaced with concrete culverts and the drop box culverts need to be replaced before we can let traffic continue to use the street,” explained the CM.
Hayter Engineering has given a plan design to two construction companies to get an estimate of the costs which the firm is estimating in the $2 million vicinity.
“I have asked Hayter to go ahead and design the project and as soon as we have a design, we will bid the project,” said Cunningham. “We currently have the funds to do at least the Nelson and Mill Street portion of the project. As you are probably aware we are required to have at least a 30% reserve of funds and we do not want to go under that amount. Obviously, before we do anything other than the engineering of the project, I will come to the council for permission to use the funds.”
Read the full story from this week’s city council meeting in the weekend Bowie News.
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.
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.
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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