NEWS
Bowie EMS offering plans to help department stabilize
By BARBARA GREEN
While pitching Bowie Emergency Medical Services to the Montague County Commissioner’s court two weeks ago, Bowie Mayor Pro Tem Scott Davis called stopping the out of city service a mistake the council would like to correct.
Pubic outcry or a “different view” of the financials may have prompted the city to get back into the county ambulance game, but it is going to take some major changes in the revenue stream to keep the operation stable. Ambulance operation has long been a money drain with average collections 25 to 27 percent of billings.
It was the first week of March when the city council voted to stop out-of-the-city limits ambulance calls. A letter was forwarded to the county informing them of the Oct. 1 effective date.
Then on May 16 the same council, minus former Mayor Larry Slack, sent a new letter asking to be considered for EMS service.
The request did not sit well with the commissioners who felt like Bowie put it in the position of searching for an EMS to serve the southern half of the county.
There also were expectations numerous companies would respond to the request for proposals, but the county received only two including one from Nocona General Hospital EMS and Sacred Cross in Denton. After much debate NGH pulled out and Bowie EMS was selected.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott Davis said the city staff has taken several steps to address budget issues within the fire/EMS department, which they believe will help stabilize the finances.
On the staffing side the department is operating two budgeted staff members short. Read the full story in the weekend News.
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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