Jett Schwaier/CHAT News

By Jett Schwaier

CITY HALL

Medicine Hat council wraps up 2025 by discussing public hearings and rezoning applications at its meeting

Dec 16, 2025 | 1:10 AM

The Medicine Hat city council has met for the final time in 2025 for a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, to discuss a pair of public hearings, several rezoning application items, a police deal, and other topics.

The public hearings were to amend the electric utility bylaw 4864 and to amend the gas utility bylaw 4865.

Information from both hearings has been displayed in one presentation from the Managing Director of Energy, Land and Environment, Rochelle Pancoast, along with the Business Analyst for Energy Marketing, Jasmin Gross.

Discussions from the council and comments from the audience took place after the presentation.

The portion of the presentation regarding Bylaw 4864 said that the 2026 electric distribution rate changes would result in an average monthly increase of about three percent for residential and most commercial customers.

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It was stated during discussions that adjustments are needed to maintain financial sustainability and support infrastructure investment.

No speakers spoke in support of the bylaw.

Members of the business community in attendance raised concerns about commercial demand charges and said short-term electricity spikes can push small businesses into higher rate classes and increase costs.

Also in attendance, Kaleb Orge, warned that higher utility bills could make affordability pressures for low-income residents worse.

It was noted in the presentation that the city’s electric rates remain among the lowest in Alberta, and Councillor Stuart Young said this is something to be celebrated.

During the second hearing of the item to amend the gas utility bylaw 4865, there were no discussions or comments from the audience.

The council approved that both bylaws will receive a second and third reading.

Following the public hearings, the council went into closed session.

Once the council returned to open session, councillors reached an agreement with the Medicine Hat Police Association, covering the period from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2027.

The agreement includes wage increases of 3.75 percent in 2025 and 2026, and 3.5 percent in 2027.

To support the settlement, the council approved operating budget amendments of $270,133 in 2025 and $606,168 in 2026, funded through operating reserves.

Also discussed in the meeting were several rezoning applications, all of which will receive a first reading.

The rezoning applications are for properties on 1 St. SW, Southlands Dr. SE and Somerside Cres. SE.

The council has also authorized Mayor Linnsie Clark to appoint an interim city manager effective Jan. 1, 2026 or earlier.

Before adjournment, the council has approved revised reporting deadlines for several previously adopted motions, pushing most items to the first quarter of 2026.

Those include Bylaw 4661 establishing the Community Vibrancy Advisory Board, the Public Participation Policy, the Urban Hens initiative, updates to Section 4.7 of the Procedure Bylaw and the Whistleblower Policy, all now due in the first quarter of 2026.

The Regional Food and Organics Waste Strategy deadline was revised to the second quarter of 2026.

Mayor Linnsie Clark gave holiday wishes to the city councillors and the attendees before the meeting adjourned.

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READ: Medicine Hat City Council meets for final meeting of 2025 on Monday

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