The Big Spring City Council will meet to discuss a number of items Tuesday evening, including the emergency approval of negotiations between Atmos Energy and the West Texas steering committee investigating a proposed rate increase with the utility provider.

The council approved an ordinance adopting a new rate review mechanism between Atmos Energy's West Texas Division and the steering committee — which has been probing the validity of rate increase claims for several months now — during an August meeting.

According to Peggy Walker, financial director for the city of Big Spring, the negotiated increase is less than half what Atmos had originally asked for.

“Atmos asked for a rate increase in its West Texas market of $9.5 million on Aug. 29,” said Walker. “After negotiations between Atmos and the steering committee were completed, a $3.9 million rate increase was approved. That will translate into approximately a 3 percent increase in Big Spring customers' bills, or about $1.98.”

Walker said the rate increase will go into effect Nov. 15.

Also on Tuesday's agenda, the council will consider:

• Approval of plans, specifications and permission to advertise for bids for street improvements, part of the ongoing Street Bond Reconstruction Project. The council will also consider a change-order for utility upgrades in the project.

• Approval of an agreement with Parkhill, Smith & Cooper Inc. for consultant services for the 2008 Railroad Spur Master Plan.

• Emergency reading of an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance by approving preliminary final plat of Adkins Subdivision and Krishna subdivisions.

• Approval of Industrial Park lease agreements with Hangar 25 Air Museum, Liberty Machine Shop and Clifton Talbot.

• Discussion of entering into an agreement with Alon USA and amending the lease agreement with Western Container Corporation regarding the use of the railroad spur.

The meeting is to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers, located at 307 E. Fourth St.

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