Town of Redcliff approves tax increase and hears delegation on backyard chickens

Mayor Chris Czember says the 2.34 per cent jump in municipal tax is a modest increase for the average household.

“We tried to keep it as modest as possible. Because we understand that purse strings are tight with everybody,” Czember said.

“The cost of infrastructure is just going through the roof. It’s crazy. The cost to put new pipe in the ground and to put new asphalt on a road, I bet you it’s basically doubled since I’ve been on council,” he added.

“But you have to keep up on it because the road deteriorates every day, every vehicle that drives on it.

And if you don’t do it, your taxes don’t go up, but then your town is deteriorating away.”

—

Redcliff Town Council Meeting YouTube Stream May 11, 2026

—

Council directed administration to proceed with asphalt repair at 1401 Highway Avenue, funded from the accumulated surplus, with Transit Paving given the $82,000 contract.

A delegation about backyard chickens was heard during the meeting from Susan Walchuk.

The Redcliff resident initially requested an amendment to the Animal Control Bylaw, which council gave a first reading to on April 13, 2026.

She was looking to have backyard chickens included.

Walchuk outlined several enforcement options and the benefits of allowing backyard chickens in the community. The idea of a pilot project was also discussed.

Council accepted the delegation for information, with the item to be researched and brought back to council at a future meeting.

It’s a familiar topic of conversation in the area, as the City of Medicine Hat, on April 7, 2026, council directed administration to start work on a potential urban hens bylaw. That was expected to return to the City for consideration in the third quarter of 2026.

Redcliff town council also accepted the Redcliff Days 2026 itinerary for information during the meeting.

Czember says it’s always a very well-attended event.

“It turns into a bit of a homecoming, I’ve found. People who moved away over the years tend to come back to see all their old friends for the weekend and get together,” Czember said.

“There are tons of activities for families. The kids get out, and they love it. And the bouncy castle and the face painters or the magicians, whatever we have for that particular year,” he added.

“It’s a good community bonding event. And anytime we do a survey about what people like about living in Redcliff, it’s the small-town feel, the community engagement. So this really feeds into that.”

—

(Image Credit: Town of Redcliff)

—

(Image Credit: Town of Redcliff)

—

(Image Credit: Town of Redcliff)

—

by Jesse Gill

Town of Redcliff approves tax increase and hears delegation on backyard chickens

Our Community