Mayor Ted Clugston following Tuesday's regular city council meeting. (CHAT News photo)

By Alex McCuaig

City budget changes

Major changes coming to city’s budget, says mayor

Sep 8, 2020 | 9:22 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Mayor Ted Clugston says to expect major amendments to its four-year budget due to the current fiscal reality the city now finds itself in.

“That’s coming very soon,” said the mayor following Tuesday’s council meeting, adding that city staff have be given direction about bringing forward another budget.

The comment came after questions about Premier Jason Kenney’s remarks regarding the need for municipalities to hold the line on raising taxes, remarks backed up by conditions put on provincial stimulus aid for the city announced two weeks ago. Those conditions for the $7.5 million in provincial funding the city will receive includes a requirement that projects don’t increase property taxes or operational spending.

“I hate the parental approach from the province. I’m not just talking about UCP. I’m talking about the previous NDP and conservatives – do as we say, not as we do,” said Clugston. “I mean, they are borrowing tonnes of money just to pay wages yet telling us we can’t do anything to cover our costs.”

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As part of the four-year municipal budget passed for 2019 to 2022, property tax increases were forecast each year.

Though, due to COVID-19, the city ended up waving this year’s 3.5 per cent property tax increase.

Clugston says changes to the municipal budget will be put before council later this year.