Arts fee-for-service funding advanced in SPC deliberations

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on November 17, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

City council acting as Economic Standing Policy Committee unanimously voted to move an omnibus motion regarding fee-for-service for the Allied Arts Council and Casa further along budget deliberations.

If approved in the final budget, the requested money would raise salaries to competitive wages and benefits while addressing audit and inflation pressure points.

The SPC heard that about 550 people a day visit Casa.

Councillor Jeff Carlson told SPC downtown businesses have stated their appreciation for having that arts facility downtown.

Deputy mayor Ryan Parker, while calling himself “hawkish,” said he fully supported the initiative, saying if the city didn’t have organizations like the Allied Arts Council stepping forward, there would be greater costs to the city.

He said there is lot of things council funds such as transit and swimming pools that many residents don’t utilize, and he said there is a silent group who do support the AAC and Casa, adding council has an obligation to “to reflect the whole community.”

If approved in the final budget, the omnibus motion will cost taxpayers $227,949 in 2023, $241,901 in 2024, $259,286 in 2025 and $276,669 in 2026.

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