13 new firefighters among asks being looked at during Lethbridge budget deliberations
![leth budget 1 Lethbridge Fire Chief Greg Adair has asked city council for 13 new firefighters.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2022/11/16/leth-budget-1-1-6156329-1668642966750.jpeg)
Lethbridge’s fire department could add new 13 firefighters to its ranks.
Fire Chief Greg Adair made the request Wednesday to city council, who are acting as the economic standing policy committee for budget deliberations.
Adair says at least 13 members are needed over the next four years.
Adair wants to add four firefighters next year, four the year after that and five more in 2025, with a total cost of just over $6 million.
Coun. John Middleton-Hope believes the addition would improve response times for both paramedics and firefighters as the city continues to grow.
Council unanimously approved the motion.
Council also voted unanimously to add two full-time airfield maintenance specialists, to ensure the airport is fully staffed and meets Transport Canada’s requirements.
Council then moved to the event support program, looking to allocate nearly $1 million spread over four years to the major community event and community event support grants.
Council voted in favour, six to three, with councillors Ryan Parker and Nick Paladino as well as Mayor Blaine Hyggen being opposed.
The committee also approving the hiring of 10 non-permanent full-time staff to the city's parks department as a way to meet existing service levels.
That comes with a price tag of more than $2.5 million spread over four years.
Once budget deliberations wrap up later this week, council will then formally vote to approve the budget, likely during their Nov. 29 meeting.
If all budget initiatives that have been approved as of Wednesday make it through, taxes could rise to 4.23 per cent.
The Lethbridge Police Service and Commission budget will be on the agenda for Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6950170.1720036657!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
DEVELOPING Canada issues travel warning as Hurricane Beryl tears through southeast Caribbean
As Hurricane Beryl rips toward the southeast Caribbean, Global Affairs Canada is warning travellers to avoid non-essential travel to Jamaica as well as several countries in the region.
Canadian feels 'abandoned' in Mexico after WestJet strike
More than 1,100 WestJet flights and counting have been cancelled since last Thursday, when a strike by the airlines mechanics union grounded travel plans for more than 100,000 customers.
Trudeau won't commit to national caucus meeting, says he's having calls with MPs
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he's been taking calls from different members of his Liberal caucus following the party's historic byelection loss in a downtown Toronto riding last week, but his focus remains on governing.
Nearly four out of 10 Ontarians considering leaving due to cost of housing: survey
Nearly four out of 10 Ontarians say that they are considering leaving the province due to the high cost of housing, a new survey has found.
1 dead, 2 injured after helicopter crash near B.C.-Alberta border
One person was killed and two others were injured in a helicopter crash near the B.C.-Alberta border on Tuesday evening, according to the RCMP.
Hurricane Beryl roars toward Jamaica after killing at least 6 people in the southeast Caribbean
Hurricane Beryl was roaring toward Jamaica on Wednesday, with islanders scrambling to make preparations after the powerful Category 4 storm earlier killed at least six people and caused significant damage in the southeast Caribbean.
Popular weight loss and diabetes drugs linked to increased risk of rare form of blindness
People who take Ozempic or Wegovy may have a higher risk of developing a rare form of blindness, a new study suggests. Still, doctors say it shouldn’t deter patients from using the medicines to treat diabetes or obesity.
Delta flight diverts to New York after passengers are served spoiled food
A Delta flight from Detroit to Amsterdam was diverted to New York's Kennedy Airport on Wednesday after passengers were served spoiled food, airline officials said.
The son of Asia's richest man is getting married in one of India's most anticipated — and lavish — weddings of the year
Billionaire heir Anant Ambani is set to marry his longtime girlfriend Radhika Merchant later this month, in a lavish ceremony widely described as the country's wedding of the year.