(Tiffany Goodwein/ CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

‘What happens after the 90 days?:’ City exploring additional ways to provide relief amid COVID-19

Apr 7, 2020 | 6:18 PM

MEDICINE HAT- With mass job losses across the city as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Medicine Hat says they are looking into additional ways to provide relief to residents affected by the pandemic.

Just a few weeks ago, the city’s utility relief program kicked in, deferring utility payments for 90 days.

Clugston said while nothing has been decided as of yet, the city will be looking into creating a ‘made in Medicine Hat’ solution to provide further relief to those affected by the crisis.

” I can tell you that Medicine Hat is unique obviously, and we have been very, very, prudent over the years and are in a situation that is the envy of most other municipalities not just Alberta but in the country, so we are working on things so you are going to have to stay tuned on that,” he said.

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He later hinted that an announcement may be coming in the next two to four weeks.

Clugston noted that even with the utility deferral program, The city is still concerned about what happens next.

” You know what our biggest concern is, say on the utility side ? Our biggest concern is what happens after the 90 days? If you are struggling with your bills and you owe three months plus another month so we are very concerned with that, so there could be an extension on the deferral period or an extension on the payback period, there could be abatement.”

On Monday, Calgary city council voted to defer property taxes for three months. Other municipalities are exploring the measure, including the City of Lethbridge, and the City of Grande Prairie.

City property taxes are due June 30, according to the City of Medicine Hat website.

When asked if the city is concerned that missed or delayed property taxes or utility bills may impact city services; the mayor said they are committed to ensuring that a a high level of service is maintained throughout the pandemic.

” I can assure you that our number one priority is to keep the lights on, is to keep the water running, keep the garbage picked up, keep fire and police services running and so we are working very hard. Could you imagine if the lights at the power plant went down? Everyone already has anxiety and panic as it is and then all of a sudden we might be out of power for 24 to 48 hours that would be just devastating so this is our number one priority as the municipality.”

The mayor also added that he is pleased with the way council is working together to come up with solutions locally on how to deal with the ongoing pandemic.

“Council is really coming together. I mean each one of them is able to vote any way they want on any issue they like. There’s eight of them obviously and there is no party politics. They all have different ideas as to how to go about this, whether we should do a lot , a little something in the middle, and they are all working really hard together to come to a consensus. ” he said.