Strata Clean Energy interview questions

The interview process was fine. I did a virtual interview with two HRBPs then was invited on site for an in-person interview with the HR Director. The offer process is where things got confusing and unpleasant. I was extended an offer that was significantly below what I was currently making so I asked to negotiate. I waited almost a week for a reply…. I was told that the offer given during the verbal offer was firm. I was okay with that and said if that offer was still on the table I would accept. Then another week passed and I was told that the amount extended in the verbal offer was “too much for their budget” and they would need to LOWER the offer even more. I gracefully declined. I get things change but I would have thought the budget for the role would have been confirmed prior to the recruitment for the role or before extending a verbal offer…