Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen sees his re-election this week as an endorsement of how council handled issues over the last four years.

Crime is lower, he said, and housing projects are proceeding. The city is lobbying for health care upgrades, as well as seeking money to build another bridge over the huge coulee that divides the southern Alberta city.

After a closer-than-expected election race, Lethbridge’s voters also seem split on whether they'd be willing to spend more on taxes to help usher in some of those improvements.

Hyggen’s main competitor, Ryan Mennie, backed the current police plan and promised to fast-track a new Oldman River bridge, too, but stood apart from him on taxes, vowing to lower them.

During his campaign, Mennie focused his criticism on budget increases and a f

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