NEWS
Burn ban extended for county; budget draft finalized
By BARBARA GREENeditor@bowienewsonline.comMontague County Commissioners went through their 2023-24 budget office by office during a called workshop Monday finalizing a draft proposal that will officially be voted on during the Aug. 14 meeting. The public hearing and vote on the budget will take place on Aug. 28. The court also extended the emergency burn 90 days after the initial seven-day order initiated by County Judge Kevin Benton last week. All outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of Montague County are prohibited due to the dry and hot conditions continuing across Texas. Violations of the burn ban can lead to a $500 ticket. During the weekend local firefighters were kept busy at grass fires across the area. Friday night about 60 acres burned in the North Field area outside of Nocona. Another fire occurred on Yowell Road on Sunday burning about 65 acres. See the related box for all the specifics about what is allowed during the burn ban for outdoor cooking and welding.
Budget review
Judge Benton offered the court a draft that included many of the primary items its members asked for early in the process including a raise for employees and funding what is needed. Based on the proposal a tentative tax rate would be .5017 cents per $100 in property values, a .0019 below the present tax rate of .5036. The court approved a $5,000 across-the-board raise per employee. Commissioner Bob Langford said they want to try and do whatever they can for the employees and this is a significant increase.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
The Nocona City Council will meet in a called session at 8 a.m. on Sept. 30 at city hall.
An executive session is on the agenda listed as consultation with the city attorney for personnel matters regarding an officer or employee. Any action would be taken back in open session.
In regular agenda items, the council will consider closing the 100 block of East Oak for a street dance during Art of the Song, plus temporary closure of streets for the homecoming parade and pep rally.
A resolution approving Ben Van Wingerden making enhancements to the downtown city park through landscaping, lighting, seating and an enclosed gazebo at no cost to the city will be reviewed.
Members of the Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Sept. 28 in the courthouse annex.
The agenda opens with a report from members of the Montague Texas Extension Education Association on their activities this pat year. Jaxon Phipps also will be considered for appointment to the child welfare board.
An executive session is set for personnel matters related to the county jail. Any action would be back in open session.
Several budgetary items are on the agenda including a shortfall in the jail budget of $16,403.04 and a shortfall in the emergency management budget of $3,379.85. Line item budget adjustment for fiscal 2026 will be considered as the year comes to a close. The precinct four budget also will see an adjustment from machinery and equipment to personnel.
Other topics on Monday’s agenda will include: Order setting the term of the commissioner’s court; approval of the county clerk’s records’ management and records archive written plan for 2026-27 and notice of joint/general election for Nov. 3, along with agreements with the Cities of Bowie and Saint Jo and school districts in Forestburg and Gold-Burg to conduct their elections.
Five agreements will be offered: Interlocal participation agreement between the county and Texas Association of Counties CIRA program; licensing addendum between Kologik and the sheriff’s office, approve Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Justice Information Services Security addendum between Kologik and the sheriff’s office; interlocal agreement between the Clay County Sheriff’s office and the county sheriff for the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System Access; and management control agreement between the sheriff’s office and Jessica Moster regarding the Texas Department of Public Safety and FBI Criminal Justice Information Systems.
The deadline to register in time to vote in the Nov. 3 elections is Oct. 5 and all applications must be received in the election’s office no later than 5 p.m. that day.
A voter can go online to the Texas Secretary of State’s office to check on your registration to make sure it is valid and up to day. To register complete an online voter registration application that is on the SOS webpage or the county elections page at co.montague.tx.us. After your fill in the required information, print, sign and mail or hand deliver it to the county election’s office in the courthouse annex at Montague.
Changes to your voter registration such as a new address can be done online.
Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.
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