Budget discussions were focused on status updates

By Lethbridge Herald on November 16, 2024.

FROM THE HALL
Blaine Hyggen – Mayor of Lethbridge

Earlier this week, my colleagues on city council and I discussed the current economic conditions and the impact they have on the City’s financial position and resources.

I want to begin by reminding our residents that we have already have an approved four-year operating budget (approved in November 2022) through 2026, so to be clear: we did not re-open the full budget during this review process. 

This week’s meeting was focused on discussing status updates for the remainder of this council’s term and to ensure we best prepare the next council for future successes.

The proceedings included an Economic Update presentation from Darrell Mathews, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, discussing local economic conditions; Alberta’s Consumer Price Index; taxation pressures; utility pressure; Operating and Capital pressures; labour market; overnight bank rate; and impact on City reserves. In his September 2024 Operating Forecast, he also provided status updates to Operating Budget variance, statements and schedules and Capital Budget schedules.

Recommendations from the committee will be forwarded to city council for potential approval at a regular meeting. These recommendations won’t have any additional tax pressure or impact on the previously approved 2025 and 2026 tax rates, approved by Council from the November 2022 Operating Budget deliberations. 

Please check the City’s webpage for  further background on the Annual Budget Review, Budget processes and City of Lethbridge financials, as well as a recap of the Economic and Finance SPC meeting.

During city council’s regular meeting this week, we ratified an agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 70, the City’s largest union.

Our CUPE employees provide excellent public service to your community every day. From picking up our waste carts to fixing watermain breaks, from taking care of our parks to cleaning the ice at our arenas, they are a vital and valued part of our city. I want to commend our City bargaining team and CUPE Local 70 for working so hard to reach an agreement that is fair and equitable to both our employees and to City taxpayers.  

Funding for the new CUPE agreement is supported within the City’s current operating budget and will not have an additional impact to current property taxes.

Last week, I, along with councillor Jenn Schimdt-Rempel and City Manager Lloyd Brierley, were part of the Team Lethbridge 2024 contingent in Edmonton. Led by Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL), this was the eighth Team Lethbridge visit since 2008. This year, there were representatives from 19 different local and regional organizations.

Expansion of Lethbridge water and wastewater treatment infrastructure, Highway 3 bridge and interchange improvements, plus continued collaboration on physician recruitment, continue to be the City of Lethbridge’s top advocacy items.

 Much like the Alberta Municipalities Convention in September, this was a great opportunity for members of council and the City Manager to meet with Provincial Ministers and continue to advocate for the supports we need in our city to best serve our residents.

Thanks to all those who attended. We collectively look forward to seeing results from our meetings and advocacy efforts.

EDL, along with the Downtown BRZ and the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, also this week also launched its latest Brighter Together Survey.

 The goal of this survey is to learn about opportunities to enhance local business services and reduce barriers to doing business that local organizations presently face. 

At our most recent Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Task Force (DLRTF) meeting, the Deputy Police Chief shared some encouraging updates on LPS’ targeted enforcement project. We want to thank LPS for the ongoing efforts to better our community.

I’ve had a few questions in the community about the future of that Task Force. At the council meeting this week, we did approve next steps recently recommended by the Governance SPC. 

The short version is that the DLRTF will transition to an administrative committee, with the current members having the option to join. We believe this will provide a better avenue moving forward.

Right after last month’s column came out, we had a couple of great news updates for our community, as several representatives from the Alberta Government were here for a pair of announcements.

First was $2.8 million from the Province through the Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) program, to support plans to increase capacity at the Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant. Detailed design work will help prepare for much-needed upgrades at the plant.

The expansion will allow us to meet projected water demand during the next five years and beyond. It’s necessary to support the City’s long-term residential and commercial growth. 

Increasing our water treatment capacity is essential to Lethbridge remaining a driver of regional economic growth.

Second was another update on plans for a cardiac catheterization lab at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge. To date, the provincial government has approved $2 million to support the project. The planning work has been underway for several years and is now complete. Alberta Health is moving the project forward to the next stage, which will define the project’s scope, schedule, budget and associated impacts.

Congratulations this month to:

• All the organizers and attendees at the Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11. After the ceremony at Lethbridge and District Exhibition, I had the absolute privilege of spending several hours at the Canadian Polish Association of Lethbridge, the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Club of Lethbridge, the Royal Canadian Legion and the Vimy Ridge Armoury, just visiting with veterans and hearing their stories. Thank you to everyone for the hospitality and wisdom shared. Without the sacrifice of our veterans, we would quite simply not have the opportunities that we do today.

• The introduction of LiveBarn in Lethbridge. The platform provides live and on-demand broadcasts of local amateur sports.

 • The 50-year anniversary celebration and tours of the Sportsplex (now named VisitLethbridge.com Arena).

• The launch of the 18th consecutive edition of Christmas Hope next week, which will include the Christmas tree lighting at City Hall. Six agencies: Lethbridge Food Bank, Interfaith Food Bank, Lethbridge Family Services Angel Tree, MyCityCare Shop of Wonders, Volunteer Lethbridge and Salvation Army will again come together to jointly serving our community this Christmas

 • To the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation for their 30th annual Christmas Tree Festival, November 17-20. 

Now that Halloween (and the budget review) have gone by, it is time to start looking ahead to the holiday season. In addition to Christmas Hope, next week will also feature the Christmas tree lighting at Festival Square and Moonlight Madness shopping downtown on November 21. I can’t think of a better way to ring in Christmas time than shopping local!

As always, please be safe and kind to one another.