NEWS
Small business power rate cut; billing ordinance to be revamped to new process
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The Bowie City Council approved the first reading of a rate ordinance that lowers the electric rate of small business customers by 4.8 percent expected to save the average customer $14.40 a month.
Council gave unanimous approval to the ordinance which affects some 656 customers.
The council also continues to update utility related issues voting to rewrite portions of the utility billing procedures code so it aligns with the latest billing procedures. During the last two years the city’s utility billing system has undergone major changes including new software, automated reading and late last year changes to the billing periods going to the 1st and the 15th for bill delivery. There also were time changes for late bills to help those who may be on a fixed income avoid a late fee.
Recently, councilors raised questions about the amount of penalty assessed and also the time period for the penalty. When the topic came up last month it was tabled as the council received copies of the utility billing ordinance to review.
In other topics, City Manager Bert Cunningham reported he had submitted a letter to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding an action plan on repairing the Old Bowie Lake Dam. Initial engineering costs top $200,000 before any repairs are done. Cunningham has indicated to TCEQ the city does not want to spend money on something that provides no benefit to the city through customers or other revenue and he suggested the city might sell it.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioner’s Court reluctantly returned money to the state connected to Senate Bill 22 in fiscal 2024.
During Monday’s regular session, County Auditor Charley Lanier explained the three transactions. SB 22 provided funding for prosecutor offices to assist with paying staff, and in the sheriff’s office for staff and equipment.
If all the money was not spent it had to be returned. Lanier explained the fund was approved in 2024, but it arrived after the fiscal year began and commissioners did not want to spend any of until the funds actually arrived in county coffers.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
The Saint Jo City Council had a brief meeting on June 17.
The 2026-27 budgets for appraisal and tax collections from the Montague County Tax Appraisal District were approved. The tax collection budget faces a 3.71% increase and 2.2% in the appraisal budget.
The city’s payment for tax collections will go from $1,305 for the year down slightly from $1,445 last year. The appraisal portion for Saint Jo will be $9,526, up from $9,361 in 2026.
A municipal election for Nov. 3 was called. Places open on the ballot will be mayor, and the places filled by Melissa McPherson and Jack Dunn, who was appointed to fill out a term.
The council approved a resolution to apply for grants for water infra structure improvements through the Texas Water Development Board. The city is working with engineers from Corlett, Probst and Boyd of Wichita Falls on a proposed project.
The 60th anniversary Jim Bowie Days Celebration opened on June 20th with a full day of activities focusing on sports and a barbecue cookoff.
Festivities continue throughout the week highlight by rodeo, youth rodeo, kid’s activities and Pioneer Court. The second annual Smokedown BBQ Cookout began on Friday night with the steak and beans contests. Three other categories for chicken ribs and brisket followed on Saturday. There were 27 teams, four more than last year.
Conducted by Outlaw BBQ, the grand champion was Vinny McNamara, with 36 points. Steve Cumbie was reserve grand champion with 26 points.
Read about all the weekend’s winners complete with many photos in your Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – The first annual pickleball tourney drew 17 teams. Teams greet each other before they start play (Photo by Barbara Green0
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