OCTOBER 28, 2024 |

Photo – Medicine Bow Town Council – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Medicine Bow town council has decided not to implement a new text-based alert system.

The issue was first raised this summer. During the July 8th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Councilwoman Crystal Mayfield talked about the Logan, Utah based communications company Text My Gov. Councilwoman Mayfield explained that Text My Gov is a program that allows easier communication between residents and town officials.

The governing body voted to postpone the decision to adopt Text My Gov until department heads were given a chance to explain how the alert system will benefit the town.

The Text My Gov conversation was picked back up during the September 9th Medicine Bow town council meeting. Treasurer Clerk Karen Heath said the town has received additional Chokecherry impact assistance funding, which can be used to pay for a subscription to the text-based alert system. Heath said the decision is in the council’s hands.

Following an initial $500 set up fee, the text-based communications program would cost the town $1,500 a year.

The governing body once again postponed the adoption of Text My Gov. The council agreed to wait for additional impact assistance funding before making a decision.

Text My Gov was revisited at the October 14th Medicine Bow town council meeting. Treasurer Clerk Heath presented a financial update on the fund.

Mayor Justin George admitted that the text-based alert system would be convenient. However, Mayor George said the impact assistance money should be kept in reserve for more important uses.

Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer agreed that the town isn’t in a financial position to subscribe to Text My Gov, despite the program’s apparent benefit to older residents.

The Medicine Bow town council voted to remove Text My Gov from the agenda and revisit the matter during next year’s budget workshop when money can be set aside for the service.

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