Big Spring City Council members will get a chance to weigh in with their project ideas and priorities for the 2008-2009 fiscal year during a special meeting Tuesday night, as city officials begin the annual budget process.

According to City Manager Gary Fuqua, the special meeting — held annually — gives the council members a chance to let the city staff know what kind of projects and expenditures they would like to see in the coming year's fiscal plan.

“Like the mayor said, it seems like we just did this last week,” said Fuqua with a laugh, “but it's time to start talking about the 2008-2009 budget. This meeting will give the council members a chance to let us know what they would like to see in the budget, that way the staff can begin putting together a plan to bring to the council.”

Fuqua said he expects the plan to take shape and be presented to the council in July.

“We're looking to hold budget work sessions July 14-18,” said Fuqua. “We'll take the items and issues you bring us Tuesday and work them into a budget, and in July we can begin hammering out the final plan.”

Fuqua said Tuesday's meeting is a vital part of the city's budgeting process.

“Each of the council members have items and issues they want to see addressed,” said Fuqua. “Having this meeting early in the year gives the city staff a chance to research those ideas and bring them back to the council so they can determine what they can and can't fit in the budget for the coming year.”

Big Spring Mayor Russ McEwen said the process the council will go through in July to decide the direction for the coming year is one of the hardest things any government agency can do.

“We wish we could just give the city staff a list of things and just add them all to the budget,” said McEwen during a previous meeting. “However, we can't do that. So we have to prioritize things and decide what needs to be done now and what can wait until the money is there. It's one of the toughest things we do each year.”

No other items are slated to be considered during the meeting, according to the meeting agenda.

The session is expected to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Council Chambers, located at 307 E. Fourth Street.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it