NEWS
Water issues drive subdivision rule updates
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
In an effort to “be prepared” for anticipated growth stemming from a bevy of subdivision developments, Montague County Commissioners Tuesday approved an updated version of the subdivision regulations with only small changes.
The acceptance came following a three-hour public hearing where five citizens expressed their opinions both for and against the rules.
Several of the speakers urged the court to table action until the public had more time to study the changes, however, the majority of the court stated the variance process can address different issues come up outside the rules.
The county approved its first set of rules in 2019 a few years before the flurry of subdivision plats coming to the court. Since their approval Aug. 16, 2019 there have been 24 subdivisions with 465 total lots approved by the court.
Along with the updated rules, the court approved an interlocal agreement with the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District that serves Montague, Wise, Parker and Hood Counties.
The group will assist the county with groundwater availability studies, which are now required for subdivisions per state law.
County Judge Kevin Benton told the hearing of about 20 people the goal for this update was to have the best rules it can for new developments.
“We became concerned about water availability, especially after meetings with UTGCD and surrounding counties. In a few of those counties properties have run out of water. We wanted to do something to protect Montague County. Once we got into it you can’t change one thing without the other, so it grew,” said Benton.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Pictured: David Fenoglio of Nocona shares his thoughts on the new subdivision rules during the public hearing on Tuesday. (Photo by Barbara Green)
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
It was a brief 15-minute meeting for the Bowie City Council this week as the 2024 tax rate was finalized along with budget amendments for fiscal 2023-24.
The 2024 tax rate will remain at the same level as the past three years at .5430 cents per $100 in property value. Councilors gave approval for the second reading of the rate ordinance.
Budget amendment
The only new item of business was a series of line items budget amendments for both revenue and expenditures that went over the budget. These will be adjusted in preparation for the outside auditor’s review this fall.
In the utility fund revenues surpassed the budget projections by $332,000. Interest rates continue to provide a boost going $160,000 above budget.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Concrete was poured around the large drainage drop box in the intersection of Mill and Nelson on Wednesday morning. The city has set Oct. 31 as the last day for the contractor to substantially finish the project before daily financial penalties begin.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
A 35-year-old Crockett, TX man was arrested after aggravated assault using his “monster truck” in the early morning hours of Sunday to drive over people and vehicles.
Rednecks with Paychecks, located outside of Saint Jo on Farm-to-Market Road 3206, welcomes thousands of people who race, take part in contests, camp out and have a big party. There are two events a year.
Staff from the Montague County Sheriff’s office was called to the scene at 12:40 a.m. Sept. 22 for an aggravated assault in progress.
Chief Deputy Jack Lawson said the RWP security team had the suspect, Jonathan Reid, detained at the gate when they arrived.
“He apparently got into a verbal argument with multiple people at the park. Driving a very large monster truck he had struck several vehicles. He reportedly told people if it doesn’t have an eight-foot flag he can hit it, so he did,” said the chief deputy.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
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