NEWS
Commissioners prepare to adopt the 2024-25 budget, tax rate
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Monday Montague County Commissioners accepted the proposed budget for 2024-25 and plan to adopt a tax rate that is 1.11% lower than last year.
As they moved into a budget workshop County Judge Kevin Benton pointed out a few last minute changes that had been made and a new copy was left for each of them.
He explained the budget is balanced and uses the no new revenue rate of .4961 cents per $100 in property value. The 2023 rate is .50170 cents per $100.
The planned purchase of a new served in the new budget year was shifted to buy it now out of contingency at $24,137.
The supplement paid to the Bowie, Nocona and Saint Jo ambulance services was increased by 15%. Benton said like everyone else their cost of business has gone up.
The cost for mental health services provided through the Helen Farabee Center has jumped up from $16,000 to $97,000. Benton said county officials met with them to hear their reasoning.
NEWS
Commissioners to meet on Dec. 23
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.
NEWS
New storm shelter grants available
Montague County has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist individuals with the purchase and installation of a residential storm shelter.
The shelter must be FEMA-approved and individuals must install and pay for the shelter. After installation and passing an inspection, the individual could be eligible for 50% reimbursement of the cost of the storm shelter up to a maximum $3,000 reimbursement.
The initial program allows for financial assistance for the installation of up to 100 storm shelters. Visit the Montague County website at co.montague.tx.us and click on “Safe Room Program,” and under quick links to see the qualifications and requirements for participation in the program.
There is no deadline to apply, but only 100 applicants will be accepted
COUNTY LIFE
First day of winter arrives
It’s here, the first day of winter marked by the winter solstice at 4:21 a.m. on Dec. 21.
The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year, making it the “shortest day” of the year. Thankfully, after the winter solstice the days begin to grow longer and longer again and until the summer solstice, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year
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