NEWS
BISD sticks with original $65.8 million bond proposal
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Bowie Independent School District Trustees will ask voters once more to consider a $65.8 million bond proposal in a new election in May.
In a called meeting of the board Monday night, Daniel Deweber, chairman of the facilities committee, offered its recommendation that had been reduced by $4 million from that original amount to $61.8 million. Van Baize, also a member of the committee, was present along with C.W. Farris, architect Harper Perkins Architects and Tom Sage, bond counsel.
Back in November voters said no to the $65.8 million proposal 1,079 to 855, a shortfall of 224 voters. If the bond had passed it would have built a new intermediate school, renovated the present intermediate to accommodate junior high students that would be moved from their present building, built a new weight room at the high school and a restroom at the baseball/softball fields and expanded parking at the elementary and a new bus route flow around the building.
After the election the board members asked the committee to come back with a new recommendation that may be more palatable to the voters. In the new $61.8 million bond recommendation Monday night, the committee members debated said Deweber because they felt there was not “a lot of fat,” to cut noting the new intermediate was tied to a move of junior high students to a renovated building.
The board later voted to call a May election for a new bond with the same $65.8 million proposal.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
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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