NEWS
Second budget workshop tackles major infrastructure needs, utility rates proposed
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
It was a rather subdued City of Bowie budget workshop Monday night as the council went through the major utility budgets and were confronted with long-needed infrastructure repairs, especially in the water distribution and collection system.
As the needs and requests unfolded it was clear Bowie is far behind in upkeep and maintenance of its systems. With major line replacement topping the priority list the idea of borrowing money to finance the expensive repairs was broached.
City Manager Bert Cunningham also proposed rate changes to bring the sewer and water departments closer to paying their own way, along with a tax rate/electric rate increase/reduction offset.
Along with the budget workshop the council went into a half hour executive session to discuss the sale of the property located at Farm-to-Market 1125 and U.S. 287.
Back in open session the council gave Mayor Gaylynn Burris authority to negotiate with the realtor on a potential offer for the land.
The city purchased the 9.59 acres in the summer of 2014 for $178,840. There had been discussion of using the land for a future city office complex, but that plan fell by the wayside due to budget constraints and public outcry.
Rate proposals
Cunningham, working on his first budget as city manager, offered the council some preliminary proposals for rate changes. He said it “horrible” to operate a utility at a deficit because it provides no money for upkeep and it should operate shooting for a 10 percent profit to allow for maintenance.
Looking back a little more than two years ago when new water and sewer rates were proposed, Cunningham said those increases were 25 percent in water and 45 in sewer. In comparison he said his proposal of three percent in water and 15 percent in sewer are minor.
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.
The Department of Public Safety has provided information on an auto vs. motorcycle accident that reportedly occurred on July 4.
James Lee Hilton, Nocona, was driving a 2019 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and Daniel Parra, Chico, was driving a 2018 Ford Fiesta. Both vehicles were north on State Highway 101 outside Sunset with the motorcycle behind the car.
Parra was attempting to turn left on Farm-to-Market Road 2265 when the motorcyclist attempted to unsafely pass to the left states the report. The bike struck the left side of the Fiesta. Both vehicles came to rest off the roadway on the northwest corner of SH 101 and FM 2265.
Hilton was transported to Denton Medical City with
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