NEWS
City’s Risk Pool assists families in need
The City of Bowie through the assistance of the Bowie Mission, operates a risk pool to assist persons with paying their city utility bills using funds donated by local citizens, businesses and churches.
According to the city staff the risk pool collects donations made by citizens either at one time or a monthly donation that is on their city bill. For example, a customer say they want to donate $5 a month to the fund and it would be included on their regular bill.
When a person has a need they can pick up a form at the city office, which is filled out and then turned into the Bowie Mission, which handles all payments from that fund. The money goes into a city-held account, but it is coordinated by the mission staff.
The fund collects about $155 a month on average reports the finance department. Those interested in donating to the risk pool can stop by the city office or call 872-1114.
The Rolling Plains Management Corporation in Wichita Falls also assist area citizens with utility bills and other needs. It is a private non-profit community action agency that provides services to qualifying individuals in 28 counties in the north central area of Texas bordering the Red River.
Services provided by the agency consist of child care, child care assistance, Head Start & Early Head Start, child nutrition, energy assistance, tenant based rental assistance, weatherization assistance, rural public and medical transportation and emergency assistance through community services.
Those interested in these programs can visit the website at: www.rollingplains.org.
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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