Lethbridge Minute: Budget Optimism, Fire Ban, and Falling Crime Rates

Lethbridge Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Lethbridge politics

This Week In Lethbridge:

• The Audit Standing Policy Committee will meet on Tuesday at 1:30 pm. The City’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer will provide a presentation on the Financial Reserves Policy and will make a submission regarding the Lethbridge Police Services Technology Fund.
  
  
• The Assets and Infrastructure Standing Policy Committee, originally scheduled for Wednesday, is cancelled due to no agenda items.
  
  
• There is a fire ban for the River Valley due to increased fire risk caused by warm temperatures, high winds, and low humidity. All fires in the coulees are prohibited until further notice. Officials are urging residents to be cautious, especially when disposing of smoking materials, as dry vegetation can easily ignite. This decision follows Lethbridge County's fire advisory. Residents can check the Alberta Fire Bans website for updates on fire restrictions across the province.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• Council has approved $1.81 million in conditional funding for three affordable and social housing projects. The funding, allocated through the Social Housing Capital Fund, will support the creation of 112 housing units, with 82 designated as affordable. Green Acres Foundation, MyCity Care, and SettleEase Canada Foundation will receive grants to develop housing for seniors, vulnerable individuals, and new immigrants. The projects must secure additional funding and necessary permits by June 30th, 2026.
  
  
• Mayor Blaine Hyggen expressed his satisfaction with investments outlined in the Alberta 2025 budget, particularly the $520 million allocated for upgrades to water and wastewater treatment facilities in smaller municipalities. Although it's unclear how much Lethbridge will receive, the Mayor is hopeful about the potential to meet the city's growing needs. The budget also includes $39 million over three years for the University of Lethbridge's Rural Medical Teaching School and additional funds for healthcare initiatives, such as ICU capacity and renal dialysis. Additionally, $225 million will be used to plan new schools in the region. The budget also includes funding for infrastructure improvements like Highway 3 twinning and border security initiatives.
  
  
• Lethbridge's crime rate has dropped by 16%, with the Crime Severity Index falling 18%, marking the lowest levels since 2019. Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh credited the decline to strategic policing, community vigilance, and a data-driven approach to targeting repeat offenders. Officers have increased compliance checks on prolific offenders, ensuring they follow legal conditions, which has contributed to crime reduction. Public awareness and preventative actions, such as securing personal property, have also played a role. The 2024 LPS Community Survey showed an increase in residents feeling safer, rising from 65% in 2023 to 70%. Mehdizadeh emphasized that while crime will never be entirely eliminated, continued community engagement and smart policing will help maintain the downward trend.

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