Medicine Hat City council unanimously approved a third party review for the Invest Medicine Hat procurement process (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Council approves third party review on Invest Medicine Hat procurement process

Aug 3, 2021 | 11:01 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- Whether or not the Invest Medicine Hat request for proposal process was without conflict will now be in the hands of a third-party review.

At Monday’s meeting, council unanimously approved an independent review of the process, which will examine if the procurement process was within city policies and provincial standards. The vote for a review came swiftly with no discussion from council on the topic.

It was not mentioned at the meeting who will be conducting the review. But Mayor Ted Clugston said that’s because the issue has been forwarded to the Audit Committee who will vote on who to select.

“I’m going to suggest it will probably be an accounting firm, obviously not a local one, someone from outside the community most likely,” Clugston said.

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When asked why Municipal Affairs, a provincial ministry, is not being considered in the review process, Clugston said the city did consider the option, but timing is an issue.

“We want this done quickly, and before the election,” the mayor said.

Municipal Affairs is a provincial body responsible for helping municipalities create “well-managed, collaborative, and accountable local government to Albertans.” Independent reviews and decisions on local matters are also within their jurisdiction.

A review of the procurement process was triggered after a massive public backlash after it was learned that Orka Management Group, a company formed by three city employees, was the lone bidder on the Invest Medicine Hat contract.

Clugston said he hopes to have the independent review finished in four to eight weeks. Once it is completed, he said the results will be made public.