Lubbock City Council Moves Closer to Eliminating $41 Million in Debt Spending

At an unusually brief meeting, the Lubbock City Council approved the first reading of a budget ordinance intended to eliminate more than $41 million in debt spending.

Lubbock’s Executive Director of Budget Cheryl Brock told council members $41.9 million in debt spending could be eliminated from the Capital Improvement Program for the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 budget. She said approximately 22 projects had been closed since the budget was passed; other projects simply did not need all the funding allocated.

Lubbock Mayor Glenn Robertson reacted positively to the budget cuts thanking Brock and her staff.

“This council has taken a very firm stance on trying to change the trend of Lubbock continuing to go deeper in debt," said Robertson to Brock. "We have been very largely successful due to efforts of you and your staff.”

The motion passed 5-0 with council members Victor Hernandez and Karen Gibson absent due to their presence at a Texas Municipal League meeting. The budget amendment will be enacted if a second reading is approved at a subsequent council meeting.

The council voted to postpone the second reading of a 107-acre land annexation located north of 146th St. and east of Quaker Ave. until the next meeting with a full council.

Council members also voted to postpone voting on a resolution to grant Raider Mart, located in the 2900 block of 4th St., variance from a city ordinance prohibiting alcohol sales within 300-feet of a public or private school. Raider Mart is adjacent to the Texas Tech campus, near the Texas Tech police station. Council will vote when all members are present.

Lastly, the council voted to appoint David Cummins as an alternate member to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, an appointment that was postponed at the conclusion of the previous meeting.