Meeting on county budget crisis may be held

NEW BOSTON, Texas— Bowie County commissioners are considering holding a special meeting this week to focus on the county’s budget crisis concerns.

Mike Sandefur, chairman of the county’s Financial Advisory Committee, said Thursday that he met with Bowie County Precinct 4 Commissioner Mike Carter on Thursday after distributing his most recent letter (”Update No. 3”) after the June 23 Commissioners Court meeting with the committee.

Sandefur also said he spoke to Precinct 2 Commissioner Tom Whitten and Precinct 1 Commissioner Sammy Stone later Thursday about possibly posting the proposed special meeting’s announcement Monday and holding that special meeting Friday or maybe before that.

“Since the agenda and notice for the regular

Monday, July 14, meeting must also be posted Friday (July 11), it may be preferable to have a special meeting before Friday,” he said. “This scheduling would allow the option of Friday’s posting for Monday’s meeting to include new items or any items that need further discussion.”

Sandefur also said he heard support for a possible special called meeting from all three commissioners he spoke to Thursday.

“This seems prudent because members of the public want to see some action,” Sandefur said.

Sandefur said the committee will be suggesting two primary goals for the possible special meeting—first, to discuss and take action or place on the July 14 agenda all or at least most of the six issues cited in ”Update No. 3”:

reduce spending by $16,502 per day until Sept. 30 to prevent an almost $1.5 million projected revenue income shortfall for the rest of the current fiscal year;

move money out of assorted budget line items to cover more than $473,000 of projected revenue loss, which is part of the overall projected $1.5 million shortfall;

develop a plan to re-establish an annual reserve surplus of at least $5.6 million as called for by the county’s Financial Reserve Policy approved Sept. 10, 1212;

set an appropriate target of $2 million to $3 million in overall spending cuts;

control spending of all cash from every income source— including loan proceeds;

and develop procedures regarding careful spending for the rest of this month and the rest of the current fiscal year.

The second goal Sandefur suggested is to appoint a special budget committee consisting of one or two commissioners to coordinate supplemental work on the budget.

“Once appointed, this committee would be able to work with county staff, the Financial Advisory Committee and the community regarding budget and spending recommendations and agenda items. The Financial Advisory Committee will then be able to distribute the information to all court members in a lawful fashion prior to full and open discussion and possible action at Commissioners Court meetings,” Sandefur said. “This committee will have no authority on its own.”

Sandefur recommended appointing Carter to chair the suggested committee—or as a committee of one, unless at least one of the other commissioners would like to serve on the committee as well.

When contacted Thursday, Stone said he had looked at Sandefur’s ”Update No. 3” but had not made a decision regarding its suggestions.

“This isn’t the kind of thing that you just jump right into,” he said.

Whitten said Thursday that he would evaluate the need to address the recommendations put forth in the update.

“I want to ensure the Commissioners Court makes timely and positive decisions as to our county’s funds concerning the services we provide to our citizens, while at the same time respecting our county employees,” he said.

Bowie County Judge Sterling Lacy said Thursday he hadn’t had a chance to study ”Update No. 3,” but added that the Commissioners Court can call a special meeting whenever they believe it is necessary.

“If a special meeting is called, I will be glad to be there to preside,” he said.