Medicine Hat Minute: City Clerk, Budget Reevaluation, and a Saturday Morning Event

Medicine Hat Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Medicine Hat politics

This Week In Medicine Hat:

• There are no meetings at City Hall this week as Council is on summer vacation, but the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Rodeo is coming up, and together with our friends at the Medicine Hat Utilities Ratepayer Association, Project Confederation, and the Alberta Institute, we're hosting a breakfast. On Saturday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, we'll be at the Tori Plaza Parking Lot helping to serve a free breakfast. In addition to a Western Breakfast of pancakes, sausage and hash browns, there will be Thai specialties from the Thai Orchid Room. The breakfast is free, but we will be accepting food donations in support of the Root Cellar Food Bank. Please RSVP here so we know how many to prepare for.
  
  
• Hatters are questioning the role of their City government. Despite rising property taxes, complaints about core services like snow removal, pothole repairs, and basic maintenance persist. That's why we started a petition calling for City Hall to prioritize essential services, such as water, sanitation, and roads, which form the backbone of a functional city. Resources should be focused on these necessities, and all non-essential projects that do not benefit the majority of residents should immediately cease. If you agree, sign the petition today demanding that City Hall accept that Medicine Hat Must Get Back To Basics.
  
  
• Residents are noticing the taller grass and weeds along some walking paths - and the City says these are due to efforts to maintain environmental reserves in a natural state. Parks and Recreation explained that the taller growth helps retain soil moisture and provides shade for desirable vegetation. The City is currently conducting its annual mowing and has noticed natural grass regeneration. While some areas may look less manicured, these practices apparently support healthy park ecosystems.

Last Week In Medicine Hat:

• Council, unsatisfied with a proposed 5.6% tax rate increase tied to new projects for the 2025-26 budget, asked Administration to present scenarios for lower rates. Instead of approving the 55 proposed new growth opportunities, Council unanimously supported a motion to re-evaluate these items and their tax implications. Council will continue budget discussions into the fall, with final approval expected in December.
  
  
• It was officially announced that City Clerk Larry Randle has departed from his role. His replacement will be Cypress County CAO Tarolyn Aaserud. Councillor Ramona Robins praised Randle for his thoughtfulness and professionalism, while Councillor Allison Knodel described him as kind-hearted and caring. The reason for Randle's departure was not publicly explained.
  
  
• In response to extreme heat, the City announced that it will be adjusting its Parks and Recreation workers' schedules, with some starting as early as 5:00 am to minimize exposure during the hottest parts of the day. This change impacts staff operating equipment like mowers, which may be noticeable to residents. The adjustment will continue as long as temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C.

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