NEWS
Fire rating just one factor used in calculating insurance premiums
By BARBARA GREEN
As ambulance service in the greater Bowie area is debated questions have arisen on how much impact changes to the City of Bowie Ambulance Service and Fire Departments could have on the city’s Public Protection Classification system rating.
During the recent town hall meeting, as well as city council and commissioner’s court sessions people have asked about the future of the department. The city fire department operates with a paid staff which serves as both firefighters and emergency medical responders, plus a volunteer fire department.
The staff is expected to face reductions if out-of-the-city limits calls are eliminated as proposed effective Oct. 1 and the county is exploring proposals to bring in ambulance service for the southern portion of the county served by Bowie ambulance. .
City officials have said have not “discussed” going to a full volunteer department, but they would anticipate there to be reductions in staff if ambulance calls are reduced.
Staffing is just one of the components used to determine an entity’s PPC rating. The figure also is a component used by insurance companies to determine insurance premiums.
The PPC system is a countrywide classification system used by the Insurance Services Office to reflect a community’s local fire protection for property insurance rating purposes.
The public fire protection of a city, town or area is graded using ISO’s Fire Suppression Rating Schedule to develop the community’s classification.
Some form of the PPC is used in all 50 states. In 1998 Texas changed to the PPC system from the old key rate system, which had been in place since 1920.
Read the full story in the weekend News and learn more about the Fire Suppression Rating System and how it impacts insurance premiums.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
The Bowie City Council welcomed three newly-elected members Tuesday night and the panel had its annual council orientation of duties presented by the city attorney.
Brandon Walker and Laramie Truax took the oath of office for their respective seats during the meeting. Laura Sproles was sworn in prior to the meeting as she was enroute to the hospital after a fall at home where she injured her hand and wrist. All the candidates had to take the oath by Tuesday night after the votes were canvassed.
City Attorney Courtney Goodman-Morris made the presentation on council duties and obligations, as well legal requirements. Brent Shaw was elected as mayor pro tem.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Trustees of the Bowie Independent School District welcomed one new member this week following the Nov. 5 election and accepted the 2023-24 outside audit with no exceptions.
Incumbent Trustee Jacky Betts returned to place one and Angie Christmas took the place two seat. After the board officers were dissolved with the new ones taking the oath, officers were elected. Betts will continue as president, Guy Green as vice president and Kent Dosch as secretary.
Paul Fleming of Edgin, Parkman, Fleming & Fleming, PC, presented the audit telling there were no issues and the process went smoothly. He noted the biggest change was the Legislature compressing the district tax rate and additional changes in the tax law. State aid formula grants increased due to the state’s funding formula compensating for lost property tax revenue due to the law change previously mentioned.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Information was the watchword for the second hospital/emergency room community meeting Tuesday night, as the steering committee was announced along with additional financial considerations.
About 50 people attended the meeting. Melody Gillespie, who was named chairperson for the committee, said the goal is to gather information to get it out into the community. This group was formed after the Bowie emergency room was closed by Faith Rural Health System in early October just shy of one year of operating in Bowie.
Kylie Ward, one of the public relations volunteers, said, “This committee is not here to force things on you and there are assumptions already we are proposing a tax. We are not, we don’t have that ability, we are just a research team here to explore all the options.”
Other members of the committee include Tiffany Chandler and Damon Benton handling finance and grant research; Jennifer Tellef, secretary; Valerie Tomerson, grant research; Ann Smith, PR and Margin Latham and Gillespie, legislative research. It was pointed out there are other members of the sub-committees who are helping with research, but they also invite anyone interested to help with the process.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo – Jack County Judge Keith Umphress spoke at this week’s steering committee meeting. (Photo by Barbara Green)
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