NEWS
Commissioners prepare to adopt the 2024-25 budget, tax rate
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
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.
Hot and humid conditions will build on Wednesday and peak on Thursday, with widespread triple digit heat indices forecast. Those spending extended time outdoors will be susceptible to heat illness. Take appropriate precautions to avoid heat illness!
Several personnel issues including the superintendent’s summative evaluation and filling the vacant intermediate principal position face the Bowie School Trustees when they meet at 5:30 p.m. on June 16.
The superintendent’s review is usually done in two parts during the year with the summative an effort to evaluate overall progress. Donna Hale’s contract also will be considered. as she marks her first year leading the district.
For the intermediate principal’s job, Jason Childress left the post last month taking the new formed director of student services, which will handle many of the tasks the assistant superintendent handled such as curriculum and test scores. That assistant position was eliminated by the board after Lee Ann Farris left the job. Childress’ resignation has been submitted.
Filling the principal’s job and consideration of a rental agreement for a portion of the bus parking lot property also are set for executive session. Any action all these topics will be considered back in open session.
On the regular agenda, the board will receive the 2025 fiscal audit for Jack County. A small portion of the district runs into that county.
The superintendent will provide operational reports and personnel updates. Childress will present the preliminary STAAR scores and the status of board goals, while Paula Peterson, finance director, gives the monthly financial report.
Numerous annual items will be up for action: Contract for cafeteria software; budget amendments; consider the ESSA application, the Montague and Jack County Tax Appraisal District budgets; library books for the elementary; ESC 9 contracts and a Texas Association of School Boards policy updates.
The board also will consider offering open enrollment for pre-kindergarten students for the next school year.
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