Lake Country staff sneaks in late asks

New civic banners will flutter over Lake Country streets at a cost to taxpayers of $30,000.

Town council is expected to include the late spending item today as part of 2018 budget deliberations.

Other additional items recommended by staff include $40,000 for a new phone system for town operations, and extension of a water main on Reimche Road at a cost of $72,000.

Overall, municipal taxes are set to rise 3.5 per cent, which represents a $76 increase for the owner of a typical Lake Country home assessed at $656,000.

Public consultations, held in December and January, found little opposition to the 3.5 per cent tax hike, town staff stay.

“Generally, people were interested in what the (town) was doing, but didn’t have any feedback,” reads part of a staff report.

And only 11 people offered comment through an online questionnaire. The 115 new street banners were proposed by the town’s public arts commission.

“These will replace the existing street banners that have exceeded their lifespan and are heavily faded,” staff’s report to council states.

“Street banners are important civic beautification elements meant to attract residents and tourists to our commercial and cultural core areas,” staff say.

A new phone system is required for municipal operations because the existing one is outdated and no longer supported, officials say.