Lethbridge City Councillor Joe Mauro. Photo taken in 2018. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Councillor Mauro leaves budget talks, calls process “flawed, unequal, unfair”

May 12, 2021 | 11:43 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Things heated up in Lethbridge City Council Wednesday morning as one member left discussions about capital project funding halfway through.

Serving as the Economic Standing Policy Committee, council has been spending this week voting on initiatives in the 2022-2031 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Joe Mauro opened Wednesday’s discussions by voicing his displeasure for the process in which these matters are discussed and voted on.

Given that council was only given the package last Friday before council discussions began Monday, both he and Councillor Blaine Hyggen said it does not allow for enough time for them and the public to vet each of the items included and to voice concerns before votes are held.

Since the first items in the 2022-2031 CIP would not begin until the next city council comes in after this fall’s election, Mauro said it would not be fair to the next council to have to deal with a budget that they had no say in.

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He also does not like how council is essentially told how much money they have to spend, which ends up pitting projects against one another. This, in his mind, leads to worthwhile initiatives getting pushed aside.

Mayor Chris Spearman, however, noted that council has the ability to go above the $74 million capital budget if needed. Staff clarified that, for every $19 million above the budget, there would need to be a one per cent tax increase or the municipality could take on debt.

Mauro said he has been very clear over his years in office that he does not like the CIP process. Councillor Rob Miyashiro asserted that Mauro seems to be the only one who feels this way.

Mauro retorted that he is perhaps the only one with the “you know whats” to say anything about it.

He proposed a motion to delay all talks about CIP funding until November 1, after the next council is sworn in.

The motion was defeated 6-3 with Mauro, Hyggen, and Ryan Parker voting in favour of delaying discussions.

After the vote, Mauro announced that he would be removing himself from all further CIP talks.

“I am leaving because I do not want to partake and have any responsibility for something that I believe is flawed, and especially when I listen to Councillor Miyashiro making the comments that he does – I don’t want to have anything to do with anything he is involved in.”

Spearman said Mauro’s comments are “out of order.”

Miyashiro replied to Mauro, saying, “Why don’t you just resign? There’s only a few months left. Save us all the trouble.”

When it comes to voting, Mauro believes “it’s always 3-6, 3-6, 3-6. As much as I appreciate the mayor’s comments, you six continue to do your thing because you six have been continuing to do your thing this whole term. I’m not needed. I will thank you for the comments, but I will leave this process and leave it up to the rest of you to deal with it in your fine, capable hands.”

Mauro then left the meeting, meaning there are now eight members of council that are part of CIP talks. This leaves the possibility that further votes could come to a tie. Hyggen said that he could step out temporarily if such an issue arises.

LNN has reached out to Mauro for further comments.

Recaps of the first two days of CIP discussions can be found on the city’s website here.

Wednesday’s deliberations can be viewed below.