By Charles Lefebvre

Mayor says fiscal responsibility to be council’s focus for next four years

Apr 3, 2018 | 1:28 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Medicine Hat city council has officially set its priorities for the next four years.

And one again, fiscal responsibility remains at the top of the list.

During Monday night’s city council meeting, council approved a recommendation From the city’s administrative committee to adopt a set of six priorities to impact decision making from 2019-2022.

Mayor Ted Clugston says the focus on economic development is similar to priorities set by the previous council.

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“These are long-term goals that don’t respect an election, they don’t care that an election has occurred,” he said. “I think it’s interesting, and it’s good, that the three new members of council have mostly supported what the previous council’s direction was, and just fine-tuned it.”

Clugston says every decision that comes through city council will be examined to determine the impact it could have to the city’s bottom line, and how it fits the city’s priorities.

“Every single decision item you’ll see coming forward over the next four years, be it public services or corporate services will list which priority it’s most aligned with,” he said. “It could be infrastructure renewal from (Development and Infrastructure), and it will list the priority, and why we’re proposing it, and then, of course, the number one priority of fiscal responsibility will also trump the wants versus the needs. It will always be in the back of every councillor’s mind.”

Clugston notes its already on the mind of several councillors. During Monday’s meeting, council approved a recommendation to award a commission for artwork at the new Veiner Centre at a cost of $100,000, although three councillors voted against it, citing fiscal responsibility.

Economic vitality and diversification also remain priorities for council. Clugston says the city is expected to announce more business investment in Medicine Hat soon, but details are currently under non-disclosure agreements.

Other priorities for council include tourism, infrastructure renewal, community safety and ensuring the city remains well governed.