Lethbridge Minute: Issue 253

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

📅 This Week In Lethbridge: 📅

• On Thursday, at 12:30 pm, there will be a meeting of the Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee. The Committee will discuss the results of recent business and community surveys conducted by Deloitte LLP, the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, and Forum Research Inc. The surveys assessed satisfaction levels of local businesses with doing business in Lethbridge, as well as residents’ views on City programs, services, and overall quality of life. A total of 152 business responses and 415 resident interviews were completed. Most businesses reported stable or increasing revenues over the past year, and 45% expect higher revenues in the next 12 months, reflecting optimism about the local economy. Overall satisfaction with Lethbridge as a place to operate a business was high at 86%. Areas identified for improvement include municipal property taxes, health and medical services, and City funding programs for business and property enhancement. Businesses expressed confidence in expanding over the next 24 months, with 23% planning to grow their operations. While most businesses know who to contact at the City for support, 22% highlighted an opportunity to improve communication and accessibility.
  
  
• The Committee will also discuss the 2025 update on Lethbridge’s 2022-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The update shows several significant budget changes. Water utility projects saw large increases, with the Water Treatment Plant Process Redundancy rising from $14 million to $42.3 million, and the Medium Voltage Upgrades from $7.5 million to $24.9 million due to inflation and higher demand. The SAAG Facility Enhancements received an additional $500,000 in grant funding, bringing the total to $7.514 million. Other 2024 amendments included $2 million for the Lethbridge & District Exhibition and $1.2 million to upsize the Galbraith School gymnasium. Some projects had scope reductions to stay within budget, while others incorporated grants to cover cost increases. All CIP projects are fully funded through 2026, with ongoing reviews and public consultation for amendments that may affect the community.
  
  
• City Council has rejected a motion to revisit the idea of adopting a ward system, halting discussion on the issue. The proposal, brought forward after some residents raised the topic during the recent election campaign, would not have created wards but would have sent the matter to the Governance Standing Policy Committee for public input and analysis. Opponents cited cost concerns, noting earlier estimates of roughly $300,000 to implement and $100,000 in annual operating costs. Several Councillors also argued that a ward model could create uneven representation and weaken accountability to the city as a whole. Supporters of the motion said residents should still have the opportunity to participate in the discussion.
  
  
• Upgrades at Lethbridge’s Henderson Ice Centre are progressing, with phase one now complete. The arena has four new dressing rooms, each with private washrooms, showers, LED lighting, energy-saving ventilation, and a heat-pump heating/cooling system. All rooms are barrier-free, with automated door openers and accessible washroom and shower facilities. Phase two begins April 1st, 2026, and will convert the existing four dressing rooms into three larger rooms plus a referee space. It will also renovate the front lobby, adding a concession, new ticket office, and expanded accessible washrooms. Recreation and Culture staff say the improvements offer a safer, more inclusive environment compared to the old, cramped dressing rooms. Renovating the arena was chosen over building a new facility, which would cost about $30 million. Users have provided positive feedback so far. The project is part of the City’s 2022-2031 Capital Improvement Program, with updates available on Get Involved Lethbridge.
  
  
• City Council has ratified a new collective agreement with the firefighters’ union, replacing a contract that expired in 2020. A key change is the creation of a dedicated EMS operational division within Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services. The City says this will improve recruitment and retention by allowing paramedics to join without immediately completing firefighter training, while still preserving the integrated fire–EMS model. Recruits will begin as EMS staff and transition to firefighting later, a process expected to be more efficient and sustainable given tight labour markets. The agreement also includes wage increases totalling 16.25% over five years. The City employs 253 union members, and the deal was overwhelmingly supported in the ratification vote.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

The City of Lethbridge will conduct a comprehensive review of all user fees, charges, and rate structures, including permits, licenses, utilities, and service fees. 

City Council approved the motion unanimously, directing the City Manager and his team to benchmark each fee against comparable municipalities and provide a rationale for its purpose. The project, estimated to cost $100,000-$150,000, will be funded through the existing operating budget. Councillor Belinda Crowson emphasized that the review is a crucial first step to inform strategic decisions about which fees users should pay, how much, and the role of taxpayers. 

The review is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2027, with all findings compiled into a publicly available document. 

Do you agree that this review is important?

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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