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.
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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