NEWS
Bowie City Council decides grant benefit outweighs overrun
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Bowie City Councilors decided a hefty federal grant for generators outweighed a cost overrun allowing the city to move forward with the phase one purchase for the water plant.
During Tuesday’s meeting the council was updated by a state official on the status of the mitigation grant and the potential of additional funds for the overrun. Bowie has been approved for a multi-phase grants that would fund eight generators for the water and wastewater treatment plants, east lift station, raw water pump station, high flow pump station, the community center as it serves as emergency shelter and the emergency operation center at city hall, plus some portable generators to use at other lift stations if needed.
While federal grants can be advantageous they also are slowing moving with all the bureaucracy that comes with them. These grants were first applied for two years ago by Emergency Management Kirk Higgins and the original costs were estimated at $800,000. Two years later it was expected the prices would come in much higher and they have for phase one.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Also in your weekend edition, read the city manager’s monthly report on various projects.
Hot and humid conditions will build on Wednesday and peak on Thursday, with widespread triple digit heat indices forecast. Those spending extended time outdoors will be susceptible to heat illness. Take appropriate precautions to avoid heat illness!
Several personnel issues including the superintendent’s summative evaluation and filling the vacant intermediate principal position face the Bowie School Trustees when they meet at 5:30 p.m. on June 16.
The superintendent’s review is usually done in two parts during the year with the summative an effort to evaluate overall progress. Donna Hale’s contract also will be considered. as she marks her first year leading the district.
For the intermediate principal’s job, Jason Childress left the post last month taking the new formed director of student services, which will handle many of the tasks the assistant superintendent handled such as curriculum and test scores. That assistant position was eliminated by the board after Lee Ann Farris left the job. Childress’ resignation has been submitted.
Filling the principal’s job and consideration of a rental agreement for a portion of the bus parking lot property also are set for executive session. Any action all these topics will be considered back in open session.
On the regular agenda, the board will receive the 2025 fiscal audit for Jack County. A small portion of the district runs into that county.
The superintendent will provide operational reports and personnel updates. Childress will present the preliminary STAAR scores and the status of board goals, while Paula Peterson, finance director, gives the monthly financial report.
Numerous annual items will be up for action: Contract for cafeteria software; budget amendments; consider the ESSA application, the Montague and Jack County Tax Appraisal District budgets; library books for the elementary; ESC 9 contracts and a Texas Association of School Boards policy updates.
The board also will consider offering open enrollment for pre-kindergarten students for the next school year.
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