Burnet to borrow $2M for fire station; council repeals lifetime golf memberships
JARED FIELDS • PICAYUNE STAFF
BURNET — Although the city borrowed more than $2 million to pay for a new fire station during a April 9 regular council meeting, citizens teed up for another agenda item.
The council in March revisited an ordinance that provided free lifetime Delaware Springs Golf Club memberships to council members. After a number of outspoken citizens criticized the practice during a following council meeting and workshop, city leaders voted 6-1 on April 9 to repeal all previous lifetime memberships and provide a 20 percent discount on services to sitting council members.
Though the audience was silent through the agenda item, the meeting adjourned to a relatively lengthy applause.
Council member Paul Shell was the lone dissenter on the vote.
Shell said the ordinance was well-written and complimented the wording of the amended ordinance.
“However, because of my beliefs, I’m going to vote against it,” Shell said.
The amended ordinance takes effect May 1.
In other action, the council voted unanimously to borrow $2.24 million to pay for a new fire station at 2002 U.S. 281 South.
The council awarded the winning bid March 7. The groundbreaking is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 12.
jared@thepicayune.com