071224-HALO air ambulance is seen departing the airport to respond to an emergency call in this News file photo - NEWS FILE PHOTO
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A high profile grant to regional helicopter medial rescue group, HALO, is not an initial list of potential additions to Medicine Hat’s next city budget, but staff say that council has final say and the group could plead its case for continued funding this summer.
The potential million-dollar outlay first provided two years ago, along with other municipal grants in the southeast form a “significant portion” of HALO’s operating budget, officials told the News on Thursday.
“We’re focused on the fact that a decision still has to be made,” said executive director Paul Carolan.
“We expected this. We knew that in the original budget process (in 2023) that the first few years, (money) was coming out of of reserves and then it would go back into the budget process… which is responsible.
“We’re comfortable with it, but we want to have that conversation about having (the city) on board as a funding partner.”
Council approved the two-year $500,000 annual grant in July 2023 as a number of municipalities allocated money under a funding program for the service, which provides helicopter extraction from accidents and other medical emergencies throughout Southeast Alberta.
A new two-year grant is left off a “recommended” list of new spending in the city’s next two-year budget.
A four-hour meeting Tuesday saw councillors go through more than 80 construction projects and increases in operational spending, of which 55 are recommended at a cost of about $49 million.
Some level of endorsement is requested at Mondays council meeting so staff can be filling out the remainder of the budget before the fall.
Mayor Linnsie Clark broached the HALO subject, asking for an explanation of staff’s recommendation.
“We approved some funding and this would be additional funding that continues that on,” she said. “I’m wondering why that was differed (in this budget)?”
Public services division managing Brian Stauth said that considering the “totality” of the potential capital program, staff discussed the potential of the province adding funding in what amounts to a healthcare issue.
He said HALO will be invited to address council, and the list is not final.
“I think it would be valuable to defer making any decision on funding for HALO or not, until they have an a chance to update council on the landscape of HEMS in the province and how they’re making out with their business plans,” he said.
This spring the city council formally passed a motion to request funding from the province cover costs to expand the downtown patrol policing program considering that the province technically oversees policing, has called for localized crime reduction programs, and has provided funds to other cities.
The Hat’s proposed budget includes a proposed $300,000 per year addition to the Police budget to fill downtown patrol shifts, though that item could be paid for by third party, such as the province.
Coun. Shila Sharps said that she and many other of the city value HALO, but there are many requests for municipal financial support for third-party projects.
“I like that Idea, but my question is whether are we going to open that up to everyone who has a request from us?” She told the meeting.
“It puts us in a situation that we have given preferential treatment to one group.
I’m a big supporter of HALO, but I want to make sure we’re being fair to all community members.”
HALO currently receives about 46 per cent of its annual budget from Alberta Health Services, and fundraises and seeks out grants and donations for the balance.
“Partnerships with regional partner (municipalities) represents a significant portion of that,” said Carolan, citing Cypress County, County of Forty Mile, Taber and others.
