Mayor Linnsie Clark on signed and sent the request for a municipal inspection on Wednesday afternoon, according to one councillor. File Photo/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

Medicine Hat’s mayor submits provincial audit request over two weeks after council approval

Sep 21, 2024 | 5:27 PM

The City of Medicine Hat’s request for a municipal inspection is now in the hands of the Alberta government, two councillors confirmed to CHAT News on Saturday.

While city council voted 6-3 to send the ask to the municipal affairs minister Ric McIver at its Sept. 3 meeting, it was only signed and sent off by Mayor Linnsie Clark on Wednesday afternoon, according to Coun. Shila Sharps.

Coun. Andy McGrogan also confirmed “she finally signed and sent” the request.

Clark and Coun. Ramona Robins voted against requesting the provincial audit on Sept. 3 because they wanted more information about what it could cost the city.

READ: City council formally requests Alberta municipal audit

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They were joined by Coun. Alison Van Dyke, who also questioned the resources involved and raised concerns about what “reputational repercussions” such a review could have.

Clark asked councillors several times to push a decision to the next council meeting on Sept. 16 but was unable to find widespread support.

The formal request for an audit — required for McIver to consider launching the inspection — was expected to be submitted soon after the post-Labour Day council meeting when was approved.

Sharps said councillors had emailed the mayor asking why the council-approved municipal inspection ask had not been sent yet.

“We were wondering what the issue was,” Sharps told CHAT News in a message on Saturday.

A CHAT News request for comment from Mayor Clark went unanswered.