NEWS
Nocona City Council finalizing budget details for fiscal 2018-19
City of Nocona employees will receive a four percent salary increase next year under a proposed city budget reviewed by the council Tuesday night while citizens will see a slight tax reduction.
Councilors discussed a plan to adopt the effective tax rate of $0.5387 per $100 assessed property value. The 2017 rate was 0.55320.
According to Nocona City Secretary Revell Hardison, the total taxable value of properties in Nocona for the year is $116,231,648, an increase of $4,848,852 in value over last year’s values of $111,390,796, creating an effective rate of 0.5387 cents.
The effective tax rate is broken down into maintenance and operations at $0.4795 with a debt rate of $0.592. The rollback rate is $0.5760 cents.
The total amount of city debt obligations secured by property taxes totals $68,872. This debt includes an E-199 Quint ladder fire truck, 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle, 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle, 2004 Chevrolet Silverado public works truck and a 2007 Ford F-150 public works truck. The proposed budget does not include any new vehicles.
“We did do a salary increase for our employees, but otherwise most things are the same as before. We did budget a couple of generators in the water and sewer departments for some of the plants,” explained Hardison.
The proposed tax rate will generate revenue of $609,419 for a budget with total projected revenue at $2,181,219. Part of that revenue for Nocona is derived from water and sewer. While residents will not see a difference in their taxes, change is coming for water and sewer.
While city officials continue to work on water rates, sewer may see a rate increase of $2 from the current rate of $28 to $30.
“It will be a flat fee without any tier whatsoever on the sewer,” explained Public Works Billing Administrator Cindy McCracken.
However, the current $37 rate for 5,000 gallons will see a drop in the amount of water allowed to 1,000 gallons with a tiered increase for 1,001-5,000 gallons, 5,001 gallons and up after that. Numbers and rates are still being configured but should be set by the end of September.
“This will help my ones who want to conserve water who have the pioneer rate right now,” explained McCracken.
There are currently around 40 citizens on the pioneer rate, which they must show income tax or social security to prove they qualify for the income requirement.
“I have many older people where it’s just them or one person, and they are more than likely use only around 600 gallons a month,” explained McCracken.
Read the full story in the weekend edition of The Bowie News.
Montague County Judge Kevin Benton has signed an order lifting the outdoor burn ban effective Oct. 7.
Persons are still urged to be cautious when they are out working in the countryside to avoid any spark that could cause a wildfire.
Oct 2
5-8 p.m. – Fall Sip & Stroll With Me, throughout downtown Bowie. Purchase the required armbands and wineglass at 101 E. Pecan or at a participating merchant for $15. Fiddlers will be jamming and horse-drawn carriage rides
Oct. 3
8 a.m. – Pickleball Tournament at The Blade in Pelham Park.
9-10 a.m. – Fiddler registration, Bowie Fire Hall, 203 Walnut
10 a.m. – Championship fiddler’s contest begins.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Piston Heads Auto Club Antique and Classic Car Show, Tarrant Street between Mason and Smythe. Registration 9-11 a.m., awards at 3 p.m. Mason and Smythe for entrance
10 a.m.- 4 p.m. – Heritage Market with food vendors, crafts, gifts, home decor and more. Set up on the plaza area on Smythe Street. Kid’s Coop inflatables and pedal cars on the bank parking lot. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Montague County Creative Arts exhibit and contest at the Bowie Library, 301 Walnut.
11:30 a.m.- Pumpkin sweep contest, egg toss and egg race games in front of the main stage on Smythe Street.
2 p.m. – Art exhibit awards reception at the library.
3 p.m. – Drawing for a bass guitar at fiddler stage in the fire hall,
3 p.m. – Piston Heads Auto Club Show awards, show registration table on Tarrant Street.
Live performances – Main Street stage on Smythe
10 a.m. – Bowie Youth Cheerleaders: Pee-Wee third and fourth graders.
10:30 a.m. – Bowie Intermediate students (third-fifth grade).
11 a.m. – Bowie youth cheerleaders: Juniors fifth and sixth graders.
11:15 a.m. – Ava Layne Bryan, 13-year-old singer from Alvord.
Noon – Bowie youth cheerleaders: Midgets first and second graders.
12:15 p.m. – Rising Stars Performing Arts Center.
Hymns for the Hungry is an event organized by Bowie First Methodist Church to benefit God’s Table, the food ministry operated out of First Freewill Baptist Church of Bowie six nights a week.
This event allows surrounding churches or organizations to share their gift of music to benefit God’s Table. This year’s Hymns for the Hungry will be 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Bowie Community Center, 413 Pelham.
Admission fee is $1.00. Last year, this event raised more than $15,000 thanks to local sponsors and community’s participation. God’s Table depends on this fundraiser which is operated by volunteers from across the community.
Help by attending this event and supporting God’s Table. “Meal deals” of a hot dog, chips, and drink will be served for $5. Dessert is by donation.
Cakes will be auctioned off intermittently throughout the event, and anyone is welcome to bring one to donate. Drawings for gift cards to local establishments also will take place. All proceeds will go directly to God’s Table, which is now feeding approximately 100 people each night.
If you would like to participate or need more information call or text Jarae Scruggs @ 940-841-1212, or you may call the Bowie First Methodist Church office directly at 940-872-3384.
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