Mayor Linnsie Clark speaks during an April council meeting in chambers at city hall. Clark was one of three council members to vote against requesting an inspection by Municipal Affairs, but the provincial ministry has granted the official request.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Alberta Municipal Affairs will conduct a municipal inspection of the City of Medicine Hat – a request made in September – but the results could be six to 18 months away.
City Hall confirmed Thursday that the provincial ministry has agreed to undertake the evaluation, which would look into administrative practices after a year-long dispute between mayor and councillors.
The “inspection of Administration, the Mayor and Council of the City of Medicine Hat” was called for by council resolution on Sept. 24, but ministry officials spent several weeks interviewing local officials to determine scope of the non-financial audit.
It is typical for a consultant to be hired to conduct the review, determine its areas of focus and author a report, which would be made public when presented to council at a public meeting.
“A municipal inspection may look at any issues or concerns within a municipality to ensure council and administration are acting appropriately and in accordance with provincial legislation,” reads a statement from the city Thursday.
Reports can suggest changes or order corrective measures.
Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver and top ministry officials met with council in late July to outline resources available to cities – ranging from mediation to investigations – to help council overcome problems.
That came before Clark largely won a court review of sanctions placed upon her by council after a code of conduct complaint was launched following a tense exchange in open council with city manager Ann Mitchell.
Clark has argued Mitchell did not follow proper practice or the letter of council’s procures bylaw during a series of corporate changes in the summer of 2023.
The remainder of council has said they felt well informed of proposed changes before they were executed in July of that year, and that corresponding alterations to the official corporate flow chart denoting changes were just a formality.
Since then, Clark has asked on several occasions in open council for human resources and expense data, which she says is being withheld.
Coun. Andy McGrogan moved on Sept. 23 that city engage the province requesting an inspection, which he said could restore public confidence or suggest changes.
It was approved by a 6-3 margin, with Clark, Couns. Ramona Robins and Alison Van Dyke in opposition.
