An extra $155,000 has been allocated to the preliminary costs of the proposed $5.5m office in Millicent for Wattle Range Council.

The sum for detailed designs was endorsed during a private portion of the November monthly council meeting in Millicent and after consideration of a confidential staff report.

Furthermore, council decided to enter into a professional services agreement with three subconsultants.

They are Tonkin Consulting Engineers, Lucid Consulting Engineering and Chris Sale Consulting.

Earlier in the meeting, an upbeat written staff report about the proposed office formed part of the agenda.

The report stated a planning application is due to be lodged this month.

“The new office is being designed to combine the staff of all three of the current sites under one roof,” the report stated.

“It will be functional and enable teams to collaborate and work together in an efficient and productive way.

“It will also cater to the formalities of Wattle Range Council with a purpose-built chamber, reception area and public spaces.

“It is hoped the final build will be approved in the 2022/23 Annual Business Plan.”