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the past 18 months. We are focused on the future, and not just the next months or year, but looking ahead 10 years and more. City of Medicine Hat has historically relied on revenues from commodity sales to help fund annual operating budgets. Without these revenues we are facing a $23-million annual financial shortfall. This is why we introduced Financially Fit for the Future, a 10-year plan to close the gap between revenues and expenses. We want to ensure that “The Medicine Hat Advantage”, the benefits from access to oil and gas rights and having our own electrical generation, are preserved into the future.
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The Financially Fit plan was based on the most comprehensive consultation process the city has ever undertaken. Residents of Medicine Hat outlined some clear priorities, such as keeping effective and responsive emergency services and ensuring a high standard of our roads, sidewalks and other core infrastructure. The feedback gave us a basis for distinguishing between the wants and needs of the community, while setting service levels responsive to the taxpayers' needs as well.
Council has moved forward with a number of policies and decisions under the Financially Fit framework. A comprehensive review of subsidy levels in Public Services’ user fees provided guidance to a new “Policy on User Fees”. This was complemented with a “Fair Entry Policy”, ensuring access for low income individuals and families to
Heggelund Chief Administrative Officer, City of Medicine Hat
ong-term financial sustainability has been the key theme of city administration’s work over
transit, recreation and other services. Council also approved a change to the electric generation capacity charge to reflect the must-run nature of our generating station. Decisions were made to close the old Arena and Heald Pool, as well as initiate a significant restructuring of the city’s Transit Service. All these changes were further supported by numerous cost-cutting measures within the organization.
Finally, council approved the 2017-18 utilities and tax-supported operating and capital budgets with changes to revenues and expenditures that bring the annual $23-million shortfall down to $16.2 million by the end of 2018. A significant step in the right direction!
The city has obtained Ministerial approval to move long-term reserves into the Province’s fund management entity, AIMCo, for improved financial returns. As we execute on the upstream oil and gas growth strategy and streamline our electrical generation resources, financial returns in the form of dividends will be placed in a new Heritage Savings Reserve, providing greater stability and prosperity for the future.
Medicine Hat has community assets second to none, ranging from police and fire resources to recreation, entertainment, parks, community gathering, education and cultural facilities. The city has a committed employee base with a heart for public service. With the continued support of council and the community, we will achieve the financial stability required to ensure Medicine Hat remains “A Community of Choice” for our children and grandchildren as well. ❚
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HOME OPENER JUNE 5TH Great Sponsor and Season Ticket Pricing! For 2017 season schedule go to
themavericks.ca #41241055 • 03/28/2017
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