Medicine Hat city council is going through an approval process for its next two-year budget. File Photo/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

Medicine Hat capital budget deliberations start this week

Jun 24, 2024 | 1:27 AM

Deliberations for the next Medicine Hat city budget continue this week with a committe-of-the-whole meeting Tuesday focused on capital projects.

READ: Year-long budget process begins at Medicine Hat council

It’s the first deliberation meeting out of six taking place ahead of final approval of the 2025-2026 budget by the end of the year.

The meetings on June 25 and July 9, dubbed the New Growth Opportunities deliberation series, will focus on opportunities to invest in new services, programs, operational initiatives and capital projects.

Council released a roadmap for its deliberations.

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The discussions aim to seek alignment with council on where the city wants to invest its time and money, aligning the budget with the strategic priorities of its elected members.

Councillors and the mayor will ask questions as they look to understand the capital budget and suggest changes.

Presentations will come from finance director Lola Barta and budget accounting supervisor Aaron Hoimyr, who is leading council through the process.

The total annual tax impact for 2025 and 2026 is currently anticipated to be 5.6 per cent, with a 5.1 per cent rate increase and 0.5 per cent based on assessment growth.

This leg of the budget journey will come to a close during the regular public council meeting on July 15, when council members can make motions to move items off and on the recommended budget item list.

That list will be use to compile the final budget proposal coming before council for final approval in December.

Budget deliberations will continue throughout the summer and fall.

Energy transition, facilities for the future and financial reserve designation are among the upcoming budget deliberations, according to a staff report.

Tuesday’s meeting can be watched in-person at city hall or online via the city’s YouTube channel.

Correction: The rate increase is 5.1 per cent.