Council OKs budget

September 14, 2011

The Big Spring City Council approved first reading of the proposed 2011-2012 budget Tuesday night on a 6-1 vote, as the municipality looks to finalize its fiscal plan for the coming year.

District 1 Councilman Marcus Fernandez cast the lone vote against the proposed budget, while District 2 Councilman Manuel Ramirez Jr., District 3 Councilman Glen Carrigan, Mayor Tommy Duncan, District 4 Councilwoman Gloria McDonald, District 5 Councilman Craig Olson and District 6 Councilman Terry Hansen all gave the financial plan their approval.

Fernandez said he voted against the proposed budget because it contained a hike in water rates.

“I had a lot of people come to me over the past few weeks and they opposed the increase in water rates,” Fernandez said. “Because the water rate increase is a part of the budget, I felt I should vote based on the way my constituents felt about it. In the end, the people of District 1 are my bosses, and I answer to them.”

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