Between all the budget deliberations, tax conversations and everything else going on, I want to open this month’s column with the most important news for me right now: I’m a grandpa again!

Lethbridge residents will soon know what impact the City of Lethbridge 2027 Operating Budget will have on the community. On Wednesday, Lethbridge City Council met as Community Issue Committee (CIC) to begin and complete deliberations for its 2027 Operating Budget – a one-year stub budget.

Highlights and decisions from the June 9, 2026, meeting of Lethbridge City Council.

Agrifood, advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics are all priority sectors for the City of Lethbridge. They are also all part of an updated Economic Development Strategy, approved by Lethbridge City Council on Tuesday.

Highlights and decisions from the May 26, 2026, meeting of Lethbridge City Council.

City Council is marking Alberta Rural Health Week by ensuring a warm welcome for the inaugural class of students in the Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP) at the University of Lethbridge.

Efforts are ongoing to maintain integrated Fire & EMS system.

I support Lethbridge’s Integrated Fire and EMS system. Let me be perfectly clear and repeat that: I support keeping Lethbridge’s Integrated Fire and EMS system. So do my colleagues on City Council.

Creating sustainable long-term cost reductions, finding efficiencies to mitigate pressures while maintaining service levels, and keeping any potential tax rate increases to reflect inflation will be City Council’s goals next month when debating the City’s next Operating Budget.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen says the City’s next Capital Budget will be fully centred on needs rather than wants. At its Community Issues Committee (CIC) meeting on Wednesday, Lethbridge City Council took the first major step towards its next Capital Budget.