The District of Lantzville’s legal budget for 2018 will increase by $32,000 and it will be paid for through a tax increase.
Lantzville councillors voted 4-0 on Oct. 23 in favour of increasing the district’s legal budget by an additional $32,000 in 2018. The increase will be funded through a tax hike instead of from the district’s general surplus account. Lantzville’s legal budget for next year will now be $65,000.
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Originally the district had budgeted a base amount of $33,000 for legal fees next year. Staff had recommended increasing the budget by another $17,000 but during a committee of the whole meeting last week, councillors recommended to increase the budget by another $32,000.
Coun. Mark Swain, who recommended the increase during committee of the whole last week, said the extra money is needed because it’s likely that the district’s legal fees in 2018 will be higher than what had been previously budgeted.
“Looking forward to 2018, the $33,000 that was originally presented in the budget does not suffice,” he said. “Staff did recommend increasing it … and we’re just beefing it up a bit more anticipating that legal expenses in 2018 will be significantly higher.”
Councillors Denise Haime, John Coulson and Mayor Colin Haime declared conflict prior to the vote and left the room.
nicholas.pescod@nanaimobulletin.com
