Lethbridge Minute: Extreme Temperatures, Federal Grants, and Budget Deliberations Begin

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

This Week In Lethbridge:

• It’s a busy week at City Hall as budget deliberations begin. There are five meetings of the Economic Standing Policy Committee scheduled for November 14th through 18th, beginning at 9:30 am each day. The Committee will discuss the 476-page draft budget and then submit the budget to Council for approval on November 29th. We will be keeping a close eye on the deliberations - watch your inbox for more information!
  
  
• The draft budget includes an average annual property tax increase of approximately 3.77% for each of 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. With the prospect of a recession looming, Council is going to need to dig deep to keep costs low for Lethbridgians during such an economically uncertain time. For Councillors elected on a mandate of fiscal responsibility, we’ll see whether or not they keep their promises to their constituents.
  
  
• With snow last week and more on its way, the City wants to know how snow routes and changes to clearing are impacting residents. Feedback is being collected online, where residents can fill out a survey with their thoughts.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• The Economic Standing Policy Committee heard a presentation from the Lethbridge Hurricanes organization regarding the impacts of paid parking at the ENMAX Centre. Just two months into the season, the organization has experienced a notable decline in revenues and attendance numbers. The Hurricanes say there are between 400 and 500 fewer fans at each game and attribute this to the parking situation. According to the organization, the new fee has negatively impacted the experience of attending a game, as well as the player experience as there are fewer cheering fans.
  
  
• The City of Lethbridge obtained more than $3 million in federal Active Transportation Fund grants to proceed with three projects intended to increase active modes of transportation like walking and cycling. The projects include the construction of a Highway 3 pathway from Mayor Magrath Drive to W.T. Hill Industrial Park along with a pedestrian rail crossing and improvements to bike lanes along 4 Avenue South and 7 Street South.
  
  
• Temperatures plummeted, leading the City to activate its extreme weather response plan. The plan involves coordination with the City’s community partners to assist in providing shelter and other essential services. Certain branches of the Lethbridge Public Library and the Regional Park n’ Ride Transit terminal were offering shelter from the frigid weather. The City also provided a list of daytime community supports and a full list of services that Lethbridgians can access during the extreme cold.

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