When you hear the term “council retreat,” you sometimes envision your hard-earned dollars floating in the air, just out of reach.
Are they going to order steak and lobster? And how much did they pay for that conference room?
But Oliver residents can breathe easy as taxpayers paid very little for council’s recent getaway – to the air cadet hangar.
“It was about $37 in coffee and donuts, and the room was donated,” said Councillor Dave Mattes.
Mayor Ron Hovanes said they spent four hours talking about priorities and what council wants to accomplish in its final year (before a new council is elected).
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said the retreat was very beneficial to him because he was able to provide feedback on Town priorities.
Mattes commented, “We have solid plans for change and improvement in 2014. These will become clearer at budget time.”
Mattes listed the following priorities that were accomplished by the Town:
– Completion of water twinning north of Town
– Venables Theatre operating agreements and funding
– No tax increases in the first two years
– No tax increases in the first two years at Oliver Parks and Recreation
– Lower commercial taxes for the downtown core
– Tax exemption zones for new developments
– Parking requirement relaxation for new developments downtown
– One million dollar road, sewer and water improvement in the Hollow Street area
– Paving of northeast hike and bike trail
– Continuing improvements at the cemetery
Council plans to hold a priority session on January 27.
