BIG SPRING, TX — A final reading for an ordinance that would decrease the number of sworn fire department personnel by 10 from 74 to 64 was up for approval at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Big Spring City Council.
Chanley Delk, President of the Big Spring Professional Firefighters Association, again, urged the Council to maintain a safe number of personnel with the Big Spring Fire Department and vote against the ordinance. He advised that BSFD is already working below the federal standard that was established using science. Delk said he’d hoped to have enough time to educate the council and sit down with a committee that could help the city find a way to save money to fund the positions.
In addition to those who voiced their concern about the cut in BSFD personnel, another community member urged council to consider if something is a necessity rather than a want before they approve of something that would result in a tax increase for the taxpayers.
Ultimately, council approved the ordinance with a vote of 5-2 with Nick Ornelas, District 1, and Diane Yanez, District 2, voting against the ordinance. *
More highlights from Tuesday’s meeting
Five properties were listed on the agenda for possible abatement during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Big Spring City Council. Two of those properties were removed before the public hearings were opened, and one property was approved to be tabled until the second meeting in August 2023. The properties that were approved for abatement due to being a public nuisance were 1206 NW 7th St. owned by Samuel Castro, and 504 E. 16th St. owned by E.W. Thomas and Annie Belle Thomas.
Big Spring City Manager Todd Darden reported updates to the council. He advised that 16 tons of trash had been collected from District 1’s Large/Bulk Item Pick Up in July. E-Waste Recycling Day collected enough electronic waste to fill an 18-wheeler. He also stated that the Downtown Revitalization project has finished all of the water lines in the area and now work on the sidewalk will begin. City Manager Todd Darden advised that the construction from the project had impacted access to the businesses located in the area, which is the 100 block of Main St. He thanked the businesses for their patience.
Street striping in connection with the sealcoat program is continuing. The Park Plaza project, next to the council chambers, had a change in the bid for the project. There have been some design changes that have been made but progress is expected to be made soon. Work on Bert Andries Splash Pad continues.
Council also approved bids for a trash truck for the Sanitation Department and for sludge collection and dewatering facilities at the Water Treatment Plant.
(Photo: Chanley Delk speaking at Big Spring City Council meeting on 07/25/23)
* – It should be noted that, according to the ordinance, the 10 positions would be removed through attrition. Currently, the BSFD only had 6 of the 10 positions filled. For more information on the BSFD positions getting cut, check out our previous stories at KBST.com:
https://kbst.com/2023/05/23/232693/ – Firefighters and Citizens Urge Council Members to Not Make Cuts to Big Spring’s Fire Department, published 05/23/23
https://kbst.com/2023/07/12/253606/ – Big Spring Fire Department to be decreased by 10 personnel and one fire station, published 07/27/23
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