Lake Country council continues to shrink.

Matt Vader, the Carr鈥檚 Landing councillor, has resigned to take up duties as the district鈥檚 manager of strategic and support services.

鈥淭he creation of a manager of strategic and support services position was approved by a previous council in 2010 and then put on hold due to the business systems review,鈥� said Mayor James Baker.

鈥淕rowth in the community and the need for the increased capacity in district staff resulted in the position being posted in February.鈥�

Forty-five applications were received and screened by the human resources department.

鈥淒uring interviews with the most qualified shortlisted candidates, it became evident that Matt Vader was the strongest candidate both in terms of fit for the position and fit for the organization,鈥� states a district release.

This is the second change on Lake Country council in recent weeks.

On March 6, Oyama councillor Owen Dickie died from cancer.

Byelections are being planned for the Oyama and Carr鈥檚 Landing wards June 24, with advance polls earlier in June.

Corporate services manager, Reyna Seabrook has presented a report to council to change the mail ballot bylaw to allow for mail ballot voting in a byelection. Only registered voters of Oyama may vote in the Oyama ward byelection and Carr鈥檚 Landing voters in the Carr鈥檚 Landing ward byelection.