Richard Froese
South Peace News

The High Prairie Municipal Library will be altering its budget after town council proposed a rental fee for space in the Moostoos Building.
At its regular meeting Nov. 9, Big Lakes County council supported a recommendation from the town-county inter-municipal committee at its meeting Oct. 28 to charge the library a monthly rate of $7 per square to offset costs to operate the building.
The increase is subject to approval by council of the Town of High Prairie.
“The committee discussed a rental fee of $7 per square foot, with the total cost of $32,116 per year,” states a report from new CAO Roy Brideau.
Since costs of the library are shared by the town and county, each municipality would contribute $16,058 annually.
“I think it’s fair,” says South Sunset House – Gilwood Councillor Ann Stewart, who represents the county on the library board.
“We [the county] have a huge number of people who use the library.”
While the library does not currently pay any rent in the town-owned building, Stewart says it would be fairer for each municipality to contribute under the inter-municipal cost-sharing agreement.
Another councillor expressed support for the town.
“I do support it because it is their building,” says High Prairie East – Banana Belt Councillor Don Charrois.
Current tenants upstairs received an increase for 2016.
Faust Councillor Robert Nygaard and Kinuso Councillor Ken Killeen voted against the fee.