County to consider backing pursuit of body armor grant

If received, money will fund rifle-resistant protective vests

NEW BOSTON, Texas— Bowie County Commissioners will meet at 10 a.m. today to consider issuing and approving a statement of support for the sheriff’s office to apply for state Rifle Resistant Body Armor Grant funds.

If received, the money will be used to buy protective vests that can resist rifle bullets as well as handgun bullets, said Bowie County Chief Deputy Jeff Neal.

“Right now, we have protective vest that are handgun bullet resistant, but not rifle bullet resistant,” Neal said.

Besides approving the sheriff’s office’s grant application, the Commissioners Court will consider issuing and approving a statement of support for efforts New Boston is taking to secure Texas Military Preparedness Commission grant funds to enhance the military value of the Red River Army Depot.

Commissioners will also consider giving the Bowie County Clerks’ Office permission to add a link to its website where residents can find self-help resources—a link recently approved by the Texas State Legislature in Senate Bill 1911.

Along with link, the Commissioners Court will also consider approving a $5 public user fee to aid in records management and archive maintenance by the county clerks office as well as to help pay for both modernizing and updating old record systems.

The court will further consider approving a district clerk’s office plan designed to a pay for archival technology services as well as archival preser-

vation and restoration services. The plan calls for charging a $10 public filing fee, starting Jan. 1, 2018, for filing of lawsuits, counterclaims, contempt actions, motions for new trials, third party petitions and other documents.

In other business, commissioners will consider and take action on advertising for bids from anyone interested in buying a used excavator. They will also open bids submitted by both businesses and individuals seeking to buy a 1998 International passenger bus from the county’s Precinct #3 Road Department.