NEWS
Developer questions City of Saint Jo support for new business
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The City of Saint Jo may not have put its best foot forward before a potential business prospect at its recent city council session where it met with a developer representing Dollar General.
There were a lot of frustrations vented and a few accusations thrown, but possibly by the end of the 90-minute meeting there may be more clear communication.
Michael Medford of Vaquero Ventures asked to meet with the council on Jan. 10 noting he had been working on a possible location in Saint Jo for the past several years. Medford was pretty straightforward with the council telling them there are not a lot of land or building opportunities that would work for Dollar General in Saint Jo, but they have looked at a few. However, he said there has not been good support or a clear channel of communication with city officials.
“These companies are huge and they don’t care about me or Saint Jo, so when we are not giving them updates or information they would just as soon say just forget about it, quit wasting time and move on to another city. It happens all the time when we can’t get something done,” said Medford.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Photo: Michael Medford, Vaquero Ventures a developer for Dollar General Stores, spoke to the Saint Jo City Council at its Jan. 10 meeting.
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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