NEWS
Montague County begins its 2018-19 budget work
By BARBARA GREEN
The court went into a brief budget workshop after completing its regular agenda on Monday, hearing from three elected officials and two appointees.
Tax Assessor Syd Nowell called the next budget year her “transition year” as she makes plans to retire the minute she turns 65 on April 1, 2019 she laughed on Monday.
When she leaves office the court will have to appoint a person to fill out the unexpired term which will run out in 2020. In addition to Nowell, Lawanna Yarbough, a longtime deputy in the tax office, also plans to retire shortly after her boss.
In preparing her budget Nowell said she included additional funds for training and transportation for a new person, plus funds for part-time. She explained they have been doing a lot of cross training in the office because she wants the front counter ready for her departure. Her budget proposal also will include moving the secretary to full deputy.
Nowell also said at this time there is no one on her staff who wants the interim position.
The tax assessor also informed the court of a pending lawsuit settlement that will cost the county almost $500,000.
The Texas Supreme Court has issued a ruling in a case where a company sought to have heavy equipment such as compressors taxed in the county where their main office is located.
Nowell said based on this ruling Montague County will have to refund three years in taxes to CDM Company which comes out to about $475,000 with principal and interest.
Read the full story in the mid-week News.
City of Bowie officials were on hand to inspect the emergency electrical generators that were delivered last week.
Mayor Gaylynn Burris and City Manager Bert Cunningham inspected one of three emergency electrical generators purchased as part of an ongoing Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant. They also talked with Jay Evans, head of the city electric department, and Jerry Sutton, director of the water treatment plant about the next step for installation of the generators.
This grant provides funding for one 150 kW and two 250 kW generators for use at the water treatment plant.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
City Manager Bert Cunningham and Mayor Gaylynn Burris talk with the electric and water department staff about the new generators. (Photo by Cindy Roller)
No action was taken on a legal issue after members of the Bowie City Council met in a called closed session at 4 p.m. on July 12.
City Secretary Sandy Page said the council met for almost one hour for “consultation with attorney – Midwest Waste Services LLC vs. City of Bowie.
This lawsuit goes back to August 2019 when Midwest sued the city for its action requiring those who receive city water outside the city limits to use the designated waste collector, which is Waste Connections. This was shortly after the city signed a new long-term contract with WC.
The suit was dismissed in June 2020 on two points in the suit, but City Manager Bert Cunningham said a third point remained in mediation.
-
NEWS2 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS8 months agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS1 year agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS12 months agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS1 year ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint