Town of Oliver council met for almost 5 hours Tuesday to decide what level of taxation necessary to fund regular operations in the General Budget.

General Budget includes, Street Lighting, General Administration, Public Works, Roads/sidewalks, Fire Protection, Building Inspection, Development Services and Planning – and the maintenance of all buildings.

Budget last year:$ 1.812 Million
Exact amount for 2014 with tax rates will be presented to council in the near future

In the 2014 Budget – council found further savings to keep the requisition to a level of 1.5%

Earlier the water budget was agreed to as a 1% increase. Sewer budget approved with no increase over 2013.

Decisions made by Council:

Oliver Fire Department requesting an expenditure of $100,000 for addition vehicle storage. Council decided to keep that request in reserves until a building plan and cost estimate is presented.

ICBC had recommended a number of safety improvements at four intersections and council has approved two such projects near Oliver Elementary School which will help with a number of issues near the school entrance and at the top of School Hill (School Ave at Gala Street).

New street lighting near Skagit Avenue and Southwinds will be completed.

Upgrades to the CPR building – windows will be replaced and sprinklers installed. Projects at the airport for lighting and a taxiway will proceed. Improvements to the Cemetery with the assistance of the Legion will go ahead.

Water, sewer, & general reserves (statutory and notational) given as $7.36 million at the end of 2012.

Other than two persons from the Rural Fire Protection District and the Fire Chief – no members of the public or media attended the budget meeting.