NEWS
Bowie City Council to consider how to fill mayor vacancy
Bowie City Council members will consider how to fill the mayor’s vacancy and discuss the electric cost of service study when they meet at 6 p.m. on May 11 in council chambers.
Former Mayor Bill Miller resigned on April 30 effective immediately in after last November’s election.
As per the city charter any vacancy on the council must be filled within 30 days by a vote of the council or a special election may be called. If the position is not filled within 30 days a special election is required. The person would fill out the unexpired term.
Mayor Pro Tem Jason Love will preside in absence of a mayor and may be considered for the position.
The city is accepting applications for those interested in serving on the council. City Manager Bert Cunningham said the council wants to have the position filled before the end of May.
The city manager will present information from the electric cost of service and rate study conducted by Schneider Engineering. There have been recent discussions about possible rate adjustments that could reduce some of the commercial rates, and this study is expected to provide data to help make those decisions.
Council members will look to replace one person to the charter commission, after one asked to be removed. When group meetings are allowed again they will begin reviewing the city charter and develop updates and changes that would be presented to voters for consideration.
A memorandum of understanding and delegation of authority between the City of Bowie and the Montague Emergency Communications Team will be discussed.
Linda and Sean Reno will present a proposal to develop a BMX race track and bike park within the city possibly on city land near the Haggar Ball Complex.
A lengthy slate of topics will be updated in the city manager’s report: New UV system at the sewer plant; water plant bleach conversion; paving Lee and Matthews Streets; Clay Street water line; Community Development Block Grant; Texas Public Power Association Board appointment; Texas Department of Agriculture and block grant scoring at the state level Nortex appointment to state scoring committee; business openings – pool; Selma Park; Nature Conservancy and Bowie vs. Midwest lawsuit.
(Correction: This story was corrected from the print version and should state the vacancy will be filled within 30 days, not 10 days as the print version states. We apologize for this error. )
NEWS
Commissioners return unspent state grant funds
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.
NEWS
Saint Jo Council calls November election
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.
NEWS
Sports, cookoff, barrels kick off Jim Bowie Days
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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