Sinclair Oil, eminent domain hot topics in Tuesday Council meeting

Big Spring City Council met in regular session Tuesday to discuss various topics including the appointment of a Municipal Judge, hiring a new Code Officer, and a first reading of an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 0042020 declaring the City of Big Spring a Sanctuary City for the Unborn.

Interim City Manager Shane Bowles provided his first Interim City Manager's Report updating council on the Large Item Pickup in District 3.

“We did not have anyone call the next day saying they were missed. We did not have anyone that was overseen. Everyone that called got picked up and it was very successful,” Bowles said.

According to Bowles, the next Large Item Pickup is scheduled to take place Oct. 1 in District 4.

Bowles also gave a Large Holes and Backfill update stating they are falling further behind.

“As you've probably noticed around town we're falling further behind on filling holes. Nevertheless, we have gotten with a local contractor to help us get caught back up on that. We do realize it's a problem and we are looking into getting that back to where we were...,” he said.

According to Bowles, the Census will start sending people door to door soon and will also be providing assistance in filling out the census.

“They are there to see if you have filled it out or if you need help filling it out. We encourage everyone to fill out their census because it does help with funding for our town,” he said.

Discussion on hiring a new Code Officer was held between Council Members and Bowles where he mentioned the

Council has been attempting to get additional code officers primarily for illegal dumping.

“The solution we came up with was not going through the general fund to get a code officer, but to use sanitation. That's an enterprise fund and hasn't been hurt as drastically by the economy. Right now we're looking at creating a new code officer slot that focuses on illegal dumping and is funded through sanitation,” Bowles said.

For the city to gain a new code officer, a budget amendment for the next fiscal year would need to be made at the next Council meeting.

Bowles reported 28 properties were ready to be seized and go to auction via Purdue, Brandon and Clarke. According to Bowles, these seizures began several months ago. Bowles is looking to turn