Mayor Ron Hovanes says Oliver Town Council is seriously planning for the future in a couple of decisions made this week.

Council has authorized the expenditure of up to $5500 for a facilitator/consultant to draw up a strategic plan for this four year term.

Sessions with council set for February 5th and 6th with Randy Diehl being retained who served 11 years as Chief Administrative Officer in the City of Kamloops and 12 years in various ministries of the BC Government.

Tuesday was also a public open meeting on the General Operating and Capital budget. That was a three hour orientation by staff  to the newly elected on requests and ideas. One member of the public attended briefly.

This session was described as “organic” by one councillor as only a few decisions were made in agreeing to or cutting out items presented. Safe to say all concerned are better informed on the process and what options are available. Some councilors expressed a desire to hold the strategic planning session prior to making any major decisions on spending from the general budget. One item agreed to by motion was the decision to develop and assets management plan – a document that helps the municipality to get grants from senior levels of government. Council would also like to review and develop a new Official Community Plan.

A key decision centered in on revenue sources like gas tax funding, criteria for such grants and how they can best be applied to reserves or reducing the amount of a tax requisition. Gas tax funding of about a million dollars over five year is guaranteed with staff hoping for a consistent approach. Council indicated that 50 percent of that gas tax money should be spent on road improvements leaving half for sewer, water, airport and other qualifying projects.

Because of the Ministry of Highway’s announcement to pave Highway 97 – staff have prepared plans for a number of projects (infrastructure, lighting and pedestrian safety enhancements to make the intersection at Fairview and Main Street – and two other intersections in the business district safer and more efficient.

A wish list prepared by staff and council input will be trimmed at a future meeting with the Town having a surplus from operations in 2014 of nearly $112 thousand. Council discussed a proposal by the SO Chamber of Commerce for a three year economic development project and will write to the Chamber with its decision.