NEWS
Commissioners open year with routine items
Members of the Montague County Commissioners Court met in regular session at 9 a.m. on Jan. 22.
An order calling for a joint primary election on March 5 was approved. There will be both Democratic and Republic Party primaries. Winners will face off either in party runoffs or in the November general elections.
Early voting begins Feb. 20 and runs through March 1. Feb. 5 is the last day to register to vote in the primaries.
A Government Payment Services agreement between the tax office and Multi-Payment Services Ltd. was accepted. The tax assessor-collector Kathy Phillips also asked to issue a refund of $7,625.55 for an overpayment of taxes. The court gave its approval.
Precinct Four Commissioner Bob Langford will begin the process of vacating a portion of Jefferson Street and Bow Street for Linda Gabe in Montague. It is a 248-foot section of Jefferson Street and 180 feet of Bow Street. It will have a hearing on the Feb. 12 agenda.
Two final plats were approved by the commissioners Monday. Tracts 2A and 2B The Thirteen Subdivision 13.01 acres in precinct four, and lots 1-82 Red Oak Hills Subdivision, 322.99 acres in precinct four.
There was only one sealed bid for fuel for the court to review from offen petroleum (formerly Ashley-Douglass), and it was accepted at a by the gallon and by the transport load for one year.
Montague County Commissioners wrapped up a few items before the end of the year as they met on Dec. 23.
Grant Coordinator Charley Lanier asked the court to go ahead and obligate $276,961.84 from the American Rescue Funds to complete the new wastewater treatment plant that will serve the courthouse complex.
He explained Dec. 30 is the last date where grant funds can be obligated, and he did not expect any issues since this project had already been approved in court using ARPA funds, he called it a “safety net,” to avoid any problem and possible return of the funds to the federal government.
Montague County has about $276,961.84 in grant funds which has not been allocated.
The court gave approval on the request.
Lanier also asked the court to apply for a grant for a tire cutter. Funded through the Nortex Regional Planning Commission and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the application will ask for $26,865 to purchase a larger gas-powered cutter on a trailer, which can be moved around for use. It would cut the larger tires into four pieces, which would be allowed into a landfill. Lanier said if the cutter comes through the county would need to obtain a permit for its use from TCEQ, which he added should not be an issue.
Commissioner Mark Murphey said he picks up more tires abandoned on the county roads than he disposes of at his own yard, adding he probably has 500 at his yard. The court gave approval to apply for this competitive grant.
The remainder of Monday’s brief meeting were year-end items. Bonds for the justice of the peace one, county clerk, county attorney, district attorney, sheriff, commissioner three and constable two were accepted.
A cooperative agreement with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the county was approved, along with a license and services agreement with Local Government Solutions to provide software for both justice of the peace officers. The county attorney’s Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture report was presented with no new seizures or forfeiture.
The following indictments were issued out of the Montague County Grand Jury during its session on Dec. 16.
For the month there were seven indictments returned including one that was 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 cases in the mid-week Bowie News.
Montague County Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on Dec. 23.
The court will consider obligating $276,961.84 of American Rescue Plan funds to completing the new wastewater treatment plant that will serve the courthouse complex. Commissioners have been working on this project much of the year.
Montague County will apply to the Nortex Regional Planning Commission for a solid waste disposal grant to purchase a tire cutter for use by all four precincts.
Developers for Kingdom Estates Phase 2 subdivision will offer a plant for lots 6-10, 16.06 acres located in precinct two.
A cooperative agreement between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the county will be presented, along with a non-exclusive license and service agreement between Local Government Solutions and Justices of the Peace one and two.
Annual bonds for seven elected officials will be offered, along with the county attorney’s 2024 Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture report.
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