The Town of Oliver is boosting its budget to pay for a comprehensive review of its Official Community Plan.
Money talks.
That’s what Oliver Town council learned after realizing that $45,000 is not enough to complete a comprehensive review of its Official Community Plan (OCP).
As a result, it plans to allot an additional $45,000 in the 2016 budget for the long overdue review.
The Town’s current OCP was last reviewed in 2002. Such a plan directs policy on issues regarding land use, housing, utilities and recreation.
Town planner Chris Garrish said they received an “underwhelming response” to their request for proposals earlier this year (only two were received).
Chief Financial Officer Dave Svetlichny said they initially received a few enquiries, “but as soon as they found out the budget they walked away.”
The two proposals received came in significantly over the $45,000 budget; one was $67,500 and the other was $75,800. One of the bidders amended their proposal to $46,000, but this 39 per cent reduction significantly affected the quality of the review, according to Town staff.
Council agreed to double their budget to $90,000 and re-post the request for proposals.
