Municipal minister says Medicine Hat audit should be completed before 2025 election

“I’m hopeful that the inspector’s report will be available to the city and its residents by either late spring or early summer of 2025,” McIver said in the Alberta legislature on Monday.

McIver was responding to a series of questions from Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright about the municipal inspection requested by Medicine Hat council in September and formally granted earlier this month.

“Confidence is an important aspect of our democratic process, and on this side of the House we are committed to strengthening public trust in municipalities,” McIver said.

“I’ve heard the concerns raised by the mayor and council. I’ve also heard the concerns raised by several citizens that have written to my office with genuine interest.”

Medicine Hat formally requested a municipal inspection from the Alberta government on Sept. 4, after council had a fierce debate over the merits, cost and impact of such an unrestricted audit.

Coun. Andy McGrogan, who proposed the inspection, said Wednesday he’s happy with the pace the municipal affairs ministry is moving at.

“What I like is that they’ve gotten right to it,” McGrogan told CHAT News.

The province started with a preliminary process that included interviewing members of council and senior staff in October to work out a scope for the non-financial audit.

McGrogan revealed the ministry has set up more interviews for the coming weeks as the probe gets underway.

“They’re doing what we asked,” McGrogan said.

Most of council hopes it will act as a way to reset after a year of conflict at the horseshoe marked by sanctions against the mayor for misconduct and a court case.

Council in a divided vote asked for the municipal inspection in September. Those in opposition were worried about cost and the interruption it will bring to city hall.

McIver is granted the power through provincial law to trigger municipal inspections, according to an Alberta government overview.

The minister can order such an audit in response to a request from council, through a petition or after serious issues are brought to the McIver’s attention.

George Cuff, a nationally-recognized municipal affairs consultant, said an independent inspection could be beneficial for a city hall rocked by conflict.

“If the mayor and councillors approach it with an open mind and are prepared to co-operate and be collegial in their efforts, then I think the consultants they’ve hired will be able to do a first-rate job and provide them good advice, then I think this could work very well,” Cuff told CHAT News last week.

McGrogan is hopeful the inspection will benefit both city hall and the taxpayers it serves.

“It should benefit the citizens ultimately by aligning really what our bylaws are and how we behave as a group to ensure that we are doing what we should be doing as administration,” McGrogan said.

by Eli J. Ridder

Municipal minister says Medicine Hat audit should be completed before 2025 election

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