Lethbridge Minute: Winter Lights, Budget Approved, and Sober Shelter Stalled

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

This Week In Lethbridge:

• The Audit Committee will meet on Wednesday at 1:30 pm. The meeting will begin with the election of a Chair and Vice-Chair. The Committee will receive a submission from the City Treasurer regarding an amendment to the 2023 Council and Standing Policy Committee Meetings Calendar in order to provide Administration with an additional week to produce the 2022 Unaudited Report.

• A meeting of the Community Safety Standing Policy Committee, originally scheduled for Thursday, was cancelled due to a lack of agenda items.

• Christmas at the Fort begins this weekend at Fort Whoop-Up and is sure to get you into a festive mood. Enjoy a warm cider by the fire, take a horse drawn carriage ride, and watch blacksmithing demonstrations. The event runs on December 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• Following a week of budget deliberations, Lethbridge City Council voted unanimously to adopt the recommendations of the Economic Standing Policy Committee and approve the operating budget for 2023-2026. Residents will see an annual increase to their property taxes of 5.1% in each of the next four years. The original proposal involved an increase of 3.77%, but during deliberations, an extra 1.33% was added for police services and community service groups. 
  
  
• Plans for a sober shelter at the former Civic Curling Centre have gone back to square one. City Council will be requesting additional options for the sober shelter location as well as more public engagement. Many Lethbridgians provided feedback during open houses and through an online survey option, prompting Council to halt the application for a development permit and explore other site options. Mayor Blaine Hyggen will be requesting support for the project from the Province.
  
  
• Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden welcomed the return of its annual Winter Light Festival, which means commutes down Mayor Magrath Drive will be a little more colourful until the end of February. Despite COVID-19 restrictions over the last couple of years, attendance was high, and event organizers are anticipating record attendance now that restrictions are no longer in place. This year, there are new experiences to enjoy in the newly constructed Bunka Centre, including exhibits that share Japanese winter customs, traditions, and art.

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