The clubhouse, which was originally given the nod by the council during budget work sessions earlier this year, would be financed through an inter-budgetary loan that would be paid back over either 10 or 15 years, according to City Finance Director Peggy Walker.

The construction is aimed at complementing the ongoing reconstruction which began earlier this year with the closure of the course and is expected to wrap-up in June 2008. Financing of the course renovations came through an energy conservation contract with Siemens Technology.

“Will the clubhouse be open when we re-open the golf course?” asked Todd Darden, assistant city manager. “That’s yet to be seen. There are a lot of variables that go along with a project of this magnitude. We hope to, certainly. However, until we get into the nuts and bolts of it, it’s not determined at this time.”

Darden said the $500,000 price tag includes architect and engineering fees for the facility, as well as construction costs.

The council approved first reading of a contract between the city and architect Robert Durham — with Councilman Greg Biddison the lone dissenter — but not before local resident Rita Brown expressed her displeasure for the expenditure.

“Can we not find better things to do with this money?” asked Brown. “Only a limited number of citizens would use this clubhouse, and I feel the money could be better used for something for the whole community. Four hundred thousand dollars could go toward the new jail or remodeling the old jail, depending on how the election goes. It could go toward making this town more ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. It could go toward improving the streets... It could go toward not increasing our taxes for all of your whims.

“I don’t know why the county and city officials think the citizens of Howard County are a bottomless pit from which they can continue to extract taxes. We grant you one thing that you request, and then you want three more things. We want Big Spring to attract businesses and new people, but officials are hell bent on making it an undesirable town that taxes its citizens to death.”

The contract is expected to go before the council for final approval in approximately two weeks.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the council:

• Approved first reading of a resolution that would allow the city to reimburse newly hired police officers for up to $1,500 for their police academy tuition and fees on a 6-1 vote, with Biddison voting against the measure.

• Passed on first reading of a resolution allowing city employees to sell back sick leave hours in favor of holding a work session, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, to discuss this and several other matters.

• Approved first reading of agreements with companies for auditing and storage tank rehabilitation services.

• Made several appointments and re-appointments to municipal boards and committees, as well as nominating former Mayor Tim Blackshear to serve on the Howard County Tax Appraisal District Board of Directors for 2008 and 2009. Blackshear’s nomination will have to garner support from other tax entities before it can be approved.

• Gave Mayor Russ McEwen the go ahead to begin negotiations for a contract between the city and City Attorney Linda Sjogren.

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