Coun. Allison Knodel speaks during Monday's budget debate at Medicine Hat city council's meeting. The 2022 budget update was again postponed as councillors sought more information about specific changes in the budget. It will be taken up again on Dec. 20.--News Photo Collin Gallant
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
City councillors are yet again calling for more information before they approve a budget amendment ahead of the 2022 fiscal year.
Monday’s meeting was supposed to see a vote on the changes to the budget after it was tabled in late November with council members asking for an explanation of cost-cutting measures that have already taken place.
Instead, Mayor Linnsie Clark and others said another high-level analysis doesn’t cut it and they want department by department level analysis, plus a tour of recreation centres that are on the chopping block.
It will come to council again on Dec. 20 after a postponement from public services chair, Coun. Ramona Robbins, passed 8-1.
“We received really basic high level summaries,” she told reporters, adding that the previous analysis didn’t include the fact managers didn’t plan to re-open the Moose or Crestwood recreation centres. “I’m the chair of the committee … maybe there’s more things I don’t know, but should, before I’m voting on this budget.”
Keeping those facilities closed, since COVID health restrictions made operations there difficult, was a key point in savings found in a deal late last year to maintain a freeze to tax increases.
The new proposal called for a $7.6-million revenue shortfall to be made up in thirds between a 2.5% tax hike, finding $2.6 million in new revenue and the same amount in reserve funds.
Clark called for further postponement saying, “It’s about adding clarity – we have to be sure that we’re not inadvertently cutting programs.”
A new budget analysis passed through from the administrative committee to council on Monday includes some explanatory notes, as well as options and budget implications on the rec centre issue and a new study of downtown planning priorities.
“We’ve provided a level of analysis that is consistent with what we’ve done in the past,” said Dennis Egert, head of the corporate services division.
“This council has requested more information and we’ll provide that.”
Council also heard the city already has a budget in place – the 2019-2022 budget was passed in 2018 – but to have the annual updates in place for Jan. 1 makes some work easier.
Legally, the changes must be dealt with before an updated tax requirement is needed next May to set the mill rate.
Coun. Andy McGrogan said, “I can’t see the negative (to postponement), other than there may be more questions.”
Coun. Robert Dumanowski said amendments are common throughout the year, and he believed the larger factor in the rec centre issue would be the coming recreation masterplan study. The issue should be dealt with then, he said, before voting against a delay.
“We can make those changes at a future point, rather than delay two weeks and come back with a list of amendments that will need further delays,” he said.
