Skip to content

District billboard fee nearly doubles

The District of Houston renewed their lease agreement for their sign west of Smithers at recent council meeting.

The District of Houston renewed their lease agreement for their sign west of Smithers.

At council Dec. 18,  the District agreed to a five year lease agreement for $500, nearly double what they've paid for the last ten years.

Deputy Mayor Rick Lundrigan opposed the move, asking if the barn would even stay standing for the next five years.

Mayor Bill Holmberg said that part of the agreement is that if the barn fell down or had to be removed, the agreement would terminate immediately.

But Lundrigan's concern about the condition of the building was more about the image of the Houston District.

"My concern here is, you got a sign on a derelict building, what kind of image does that portray?" he said.

"I think it goes into that antique look actually," joked Mayor Holmberg.

Director of Engineering & Development Services Michael Glavin says he looked at the sign three weeks ago and it seemed to be in okay condition.

Council decided to move ahead with the lease.