Before formally voting to propose a tax increase of almost 11.5 cents per $100 property value, members of the Dawson County Commissioners Court were urged Tuesday to look hard at trying to cut the county budget. Fred Vera, a former Lamesa city manager, said people are having a hard time financially at this time and a tax rate increase will only add to their challenges. “It’s hard, especially for the middle-income and your elderly,” Vera said during a public hearing on the tax rate. “Some people just can’t afford it. These are hard time for our people, the citizens of Lamesa.” Vera urged members ...