As Lansing Aldermen look toward their 2009-10 budget for the town, they will need to consider the issue of water.

Always in short supply, the town is working on developing another well for additional water, but is also needing a solution to the issue of cost for service and equipment upgrades. The system has not paid for itself in three years, said Town Clerk Bernice Prestwood, and the town may have to consider a rate increase.

It would be the first rate increase since the town water system was installed 20 years ago, said Mayor Jason Ring at a recent board meeting. The system needs to pay for itself in order for the town to be eligible for state grants, and equipment needs to be upgraded. Obtaining a grant to expand the system would help keep costs down, he said.

The board of aldermen will hold a special meeting on Monday, June 22 beginning at 6 p.m. to discuss the budget for next fiscal year. The aldermen are not looking at a property tax increase for next year but will need to discuss the water rate. A public hearing will be held during the budget discussions for citizens to comment.

Once the budget discussion is concluded, the board will close that special meeting and open a second meeting in order to accept the oath of office from a new aldermen. Shane Duncan is expected to be sworn in to fill the seat vacated by Dot Shupe who resigned recently due to health problems.

With the appointment of a new alderman to fill a vacant seat, Lansing will have all five aldermen seats up for election in the November municipal elections. Filing period for the town elections opens Monday, July 6 at 8 a.m. and closes Friday, July 17 at noon. For information, contact the Ashe County Board of Elections office at 846-5570.

Once the new alderman is sworn in, the board will close that meeting and open a third to discuss and possibly approve an agreement with Sherry Wyatt, an independent historic preservation consultant from Virginia who several years ago conducted an architectural survey of Ashe County through a state-funded Department of Transportation TEA-21 grant project. Lansing is looking at a similar survey for the town and surrounding communities as part of the Small Town Economic Prosperity (STEP) program.