EDMONTON It’s been a year like no other for governments around the world. In Edmonton, the mayor and council have navigated soaring costs and plunging revenues brought on by the pandemic, which combined with low oil prices for a one-two punch to the city’s bottom line. The pandemic impacted virtually every decision at City Hall in 2020. Administration declared a state of local emergency on March 20 as it prepared to lay off hundreds of employees at places like libraries and recreation centres. “I have to be careful. I get emotional thinking about it,” said Mayor Don Iveson in a year-end interview with CTV News Edmonton. “How proud I am of the efforts of the people here at the city, and I mean our staff.”