Council Highlights April 20, 2026

Apr 21, 2026

Council Highlights

This summary provides a brief overview of City Council meetings and does not reflect all discussion and debate. For full details, download the agenda package or watch the full meeting on the City of Medicine Hat’s YouTube channel.

Councillor Reynish congratulated the City’s Medicine Hat Economic Development department for receiving the Innovative Approach to Economic Development award for medium-sized communities at the Economic Developers of Alberta Conference for its OpporTOURnity Medicine Hat initiative. Read the full news release.

Councillor Reynish shared that he had attended a documentary on the Rise Up Festival that played at the Monarch Theatre over the weekend and advised that it will also be available on YouTube very soon. This year’s Rise Up Festival will take place in Medicine Hat from May 21 to 24.

Councillor Hellman announced that he, along with Mayor Clark, Councillor Young and Interim City Manager Hutter, travelled to Edmonton on April 13 to view their shelter and navigation centre.

Councillor Hellman noted that they also met with the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, the Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, and Premier Smith to examine options and opportunities to replace our existing shelter.

City Council received the following items for the corporate record.

Municipal Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of April 1, 2026

Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes of April 2, 2026

Audit Committee Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2026

City Council received the following items for information.

Police Commission Meeting Minutes - February 18, 2026

Development Permit Decisions Report - March 9 to 22, 2026

Sustaining Capital Projects / Project Costing and Department Collaboration

2024 Government Finance Officers Association Awards

Capital Projects and Major Operating Expenses (MOE)/One-Time Operating Initiatives (OTOI) Carry Forwards as at December 31, 2025

Major Operating Expenses (MOE)/One-Time Operating Initiative (OTOI) Over Expended/Under Expended/Cancelled as at December 31, 2025

2025 Senior Leadership Expenses

Tri-annual Management Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2025

Audit Committee Capital & One-Time Operating Projects, Policies and Bylaws in Force / List of Outstanding Motions

Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting Action Items - April 2, 2026

Councillor Phaff spoke to the City’s recent receipt of the Government Finance Officer’s Award for the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting for 2024 for the 23rd year in a row, and the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting Achievement. She further advised the City has also received the Popular Annual Financial Report Award (PAFR) for 2024, for the 13th year in a row, and also the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2025-2026) for its two-year budget beginning January 1, 2025. She confirmed GFOA has once again recognized the City of Medicine Hat as a recipient of the Triple Crown for receiving all three awards in 2024 (CAnFR, PAFR, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its two-year budget beginning January 1, 2025).

Bylaw 4878-2026 2026 Property Tax and Supplementary Property Tax Rate

Lola Barta, Interim Managing Director of Corporate Services, presented an amended property tax scenario based on a motion passed by City Council at the April 7 meeting. The motion aimed to reduce the proposed rate increase of 5.6% to 4.9% with funding of $1.1million from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to make up the shortfall. Following the summary of this option, City Council passed Bylaw 4878-2026 to approve the Education, Cypress View Foundation and Designated Industrial Property requisitions in the 2026 Municipal Services Operating Budget along with the amendments to Schedule “A” of the bylaw, thereby establishing the 2026 Property Tax and Supplementary Property Tax Rates.

City Council also approved a budget amendment of $1.1 million through municipal cost savings and in the event that the savings are not sufficient to cover the shortfall, the remaining portion will be funded through the operating reserves (tax rate stabilization reserve).

Bylaw 4879-2026 - Tax Penalties Bylaw

City Council defeated a motion to amend Bylaw 4879-2026 Tax Penalties Bylaw, establishing the 2027 and 2028 tax penalty rates. The 2027 penalty rates were proposed to increase to 15.5% from 15% for current and arrears taxes; and to 16% in 2028.

Bylaw 4880-2026 - Tax Certificate and Information Fees Bylaw

Council passed Bylaw 4880-2026, amending the Tax Certificate Bylaw 3031, establishing the 2027 and 2028 rates as follows.

Section	Description	Current Fee	Proposed Fee January 1, 2027	Proposed Fee January 1, 2028
1(b)	For an e-service tax certificate	$38.00	$40.00	$41.00
1 (c)	For written assessment information under section 299 & 300 of the Municipal Government Act	$57.50	$60.00	$60.00
2	Mortgage administration fee per tax account	$27.50	$28.00	$28.50

First reading occurred at the April 7 City Council meeting.

Unpaid General Accounts Bylaw

Council approved Bylaw 4881-2026, amending the Unpaid General Accounts Bylaw 1981, to impose penalties if invoices remain unpaid after the due date shown on the invoice instead of thirty days from the date of the mailing of the invoice. First reading occurred at the April 7 City Council meeting.

Community Survey Report

Catherine Knaus, Director in Public Affairs with Ipsos, presented the 2026 Community Survey results. The survey was conducted from February 2 to 16, 2026, targeting Medicine Hat residents aged 18 and older. The results provide City Council and administration reliable data to better understand community sentiment around a variety of City topics, in turn supporting decision making.

Broadly speaking, the results of the 2026 report show overall satisfaction with City services (90% total satisfied) and on par with 2024. Satisfaction extends to the delivery of specific services, with a majority of residents saying they are satisfied with all evaluated services. Services receiving the overall highest satisfaction ratings are garbage and recycling services (98%) and parks, trails, and other green space (94%). Satisfaction with most services is statistically similar to past surveys. Notable exceptions include:

Satisfaction with communication with residents has recovered after slipping in 2024, currently sitting at 76% (up 12 percentage points).

Satisfaction with traffic management and improving the flow of traffic has fallen 7 percentage points this year (67%).

Satisfaction with public transit has been steadily increasing over the past two surveys. While this year’s results (78%) are statistically similar to 2024, they are 11 percentage points higher than 2022.

2025 City of Medicine Hat Financial Statements

Lola Barta, Interim Managing Director of Corporate Services; Kristen Young, Manager of Financial Control and Reporting/City Controller; and Vandy Bishop, Treasury and Insurance Officer, provided a presentation to Council highlighting the City’s financial position, operating performance, capital spending, budget amendments, investment performance and more. Following the presentation, City Council approved the 2026 Financial Statements.

The full report can be viewed in the agenda package and will be posted to the City website's Plans, Reports and Studies page in due course.

Bylaw 4883-2026 – Rezoning 21 Ranchlands Boulevard NE

City Council gave first reading to Bylaw 4883-2026 – Rezoning of Ranchlands Boulevard NE from Neighbourhood Commercial District to Medium Density Residential District. The rezoning would facilitate the development of a mid-rise (on the lower end) medium density apartment. A public hearing is required for City Council to rezone the site and is anticipated for May 19, 2026.

2026 Reappointment of MNP as External Auditors

City Council approved the reappointment of MNP LLP for the City of Medicine Hat annual audit engagement for the 2026 financial statements. Municipalities must prepare annual financial statements for the immediately preceding year in accordance with Public Sector Accounting Board standards. One or more auditors must be appointed by Council for the municipality.

Alcohol in Public City Parks Pilot Project

Councillor Phaff provided notice of the following motion:

WHEREAS Policy 0130, the City’s Alcohol Management Policy, provides mechanisms for approval of sale or consumption of alcohol on or within City land and City facilities,

Motion: Now therefore, be it resolved that Council directs Administration to:

develop and implement a pilot program to permit alcohol consumption in designated City park areas from July 1, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2026. The pilot project must:

- be in accordance with applicable legislation and City bylaws and policies and include clear rules and limitations;

- include public communication and signage outlining permitted use and expectations for responsible behaviour; and

- involve engagement with the community before, during and after the pilot project to gauge impact and public opinion.

report back to Council at the conclusion of the pilot with findings, including data on enforcement issues, safety impacts and community feedback, as well as recommendations on whether to expand, modify, or discontinue the program.

The item will be added to the May 4, 2026 meeting agenda.

Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes
medicinehat.ca/AgendasMinutes

Live Meetings
youtube.com/CityMedicineHat

Next City Council meeting to be held in Council Chambers in City Hall on
Monday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m.