Medicine Hat mayor expects no delays in legal action, says council work still gets done

A tense exchange with City Manager Ann Mitchell in August 2023 led to a third-party investigation that council used as a premise to place limitations on the mayor and cut her salary in half in March.

Council found Clark in breach of the city’s code of conduct bylaw by failing to treat the city manager with courtesy, dignity and respect during the exchange.

Clark denies any misconduct and has called for the sanctions to be reversed.

She said Wednesday councillors could always choose to lift the restrictions on her before the case gets underway with a hearing on Aug. 17.

“Certainly that’s always an option for them,” she said.

Despite the ongoing leadership crisis, mayor said council is still able to work together.

“We’ve, as a council, been able to continue to meet some of our priorities and move forward,” Clark said.

Members of council met for a second public meeting on the 2025-26 budget Tuesday, deliberating on 55 major project recommendations presented by city staff.

Clark, who can no longer chair meetings with the sanctions in play, does continue to have a vote when it comes to any council motion, including the next two-year budget.

“I find it incredibly interesting and important,” Clark said of the budget process.

Council meets for its next regular public meeting on July 2. Budget deliberations continue on July 9.

— with files from Dan Reynish

by Eli J. Ridder

Medicine Hat mayor expects no delays in legal action, says council work still gets done

Our Community