In a 2-2 vote with the mayor breaking the tie, the Big Timber City Council approved on Monday night to halt all bulk water sales until a new policy is in place, effectively turning off the spigot to the exclusive Crazy Mountain Ranch which was buying water for its private golf course.

In a sometimes contentious meeting, Mayor Greg DeBoer said he was swayed by a petition that gathered more than 130 signatures, despite repeatedly saying throughout the meeting that emotions, not reason, seemed to be driving the discussion.

Council members Jeff Davis and Kerri Baird cast the other two votes to halt water sales.

So far, the town has sold 1.64 million gallons to the ranch after it was forced to stop using irrigation water when the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC

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