Cypress County reeve Dan Hamilton told CHAT TV News they have seen positive progress with the Intermunicipal Committee since consideration to leave was presented during their May 7 council meeting. (Bob Schneider/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Cypress County sees positive progress on intermunicipality collaboration effort

Jul 9, 2024 | 5:15 PM

The reeve of Cypress County said Tuesday that positive progress is being made on an Intermunicipal Committee that facilitates discussions between the county, the City of Medicine Hat and the Town of Redcliff.

The committee is made up of representatives from the three municipalities as a means to communicate, encourage and support collaboration on the delivery of services where a mutual benefit can be realized.

Cypress County, in a closed discussion on May 7, considered withdrawing from the committee but postponed a final decision until after its Sept. 4 meeting.

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A lack of progress with the committee had been a sticking point for the county.

Reeve Dan Hamilton said Cypress County is always trying to move forward, especially as a region.

“We should be working as a region. There’s so many options that can be done and worked together,” Hamilton said.

“I honestly believe that with the councillors, the meetings we had with all the councillors together when we came out of that meeting, of course, we’re gonna have our differences on stuff, but everybody united as a region, we were all positive and want to work together and get things done.”

Hamilton said they hope to have the first draft of a revised Intermunicipal Development Plan completed by Nov. 1, with public involvement to follow and completion by early spring.

“Let’s get things happening in Cypress County, Town of Redcliff, and City of Medicine Hat. Let’s go. We have so many assets and so many things that we can do together here and work together,” Hamilton said.

“Like, let’s get things moving. Time’s rolling, and got to get on. If we want to get things done before the next election, we got to get on it now and get it done.”

The City of Medicine Hat offered the following statement on Wednesday.

“The City of Medicine Hat is excited and pleased with the recent progress made at the Inter-Municipal Committee (IMC) level and the discussions between the municipalities regarding updates to the IDP. The sub-committee is meeting regularly, and all three municipalities are fully committed to the update to ensure positive growth and prosperity in the region. The City supports a mutual process focused on ensuring that all affected parties, especially property owners and developers in the region, have the opportunity to be heard in a meaningful way before any changes are made to the IDP.”

The Town of Redcliff have not yet responded to requests for comment.