News Room: City Council Recap – February 24, 2025

February 24, 2025 5:22 PM

(Red Deer, Alberta)

The following decisions were made at today’s Regular City Council meeting:

CONSENT:

2025 Tax Sale Reserve Bids

2025 Adopted Operating Budget and 3-Year Operating Plan

Council approved the 2025 Adopted Budget as presented by administration, with one exception. A carry-forward in the amount of $70,000 related to 2025 election expenses was removed from the Adopted Budget. Instead, this function will need to be completed within the previously approved 2025 election budget ($1.3 million).
- The Adopted Operating Budget is a procedural step intended to confirm the interim 2025 Operating Budget as approved by Council on November 21, 2024. This is primarily designed to confirm the total net municipal taxes required for the Tax Rate Bylaw which will be considered by Council in April 2025. Additionally, Administration addresses any material changes (i.e. impacts from other levels of government, collective bargaining settlements, administrative errors, etc.) that have arisen since November, as well as the confirmation of any one-time expenditures that were previously approved and need to be carried forward for one more year.
Council approved the 2026 – 2028 operating plan in principle as presented by administration.
- The 3-Year Operating Plan is a forecasted estimate as to how The City’s budget may be impacted by factors of inflation and growth.
- The plan requires Council’s endorsement and is not a commitment of actual budget for these future years. They are only an indicator and is why approval in principle is what is only required.

REPORTS:

City Manager Mandate

City Council has identified four key focus areas for 2025 that will guide efforts in improving the community and enhancing Red Deer’s future. These priorities build upon the ongoing work across the organization and reinforce the long-term vision outlined in Red Deer 2050 and the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.
More information is available in a news release posted to The City’s website.

Community Development Grants Policy Review Report

Council received a report evaluating the effectiveness of the current grant policy, identifying and addressing concerns of community organizations, and offering policy recommendations that align with community needs.
Eight recommendations in the report address areas for improvement and outline actionable steps to enhance policy implementation:
- Recommendation 1 (for Administration): Improve grant advertising and outreach.
- Recommendation 2 (for Administration): Align reporting requirements to grant size.
- Recommendation 3 (for Administration): Further develop standard templates for grant processes.
- Recommendation 4 (for Administration): Develop follow-up process for unsuccessful applicants.
- Recommendation 5 (for Administration): Formalize the inclusion of a proportion of non-project specific administrative expenses (operating funding)
- Recommendation 6 (for Administration): Implement community impact reporting.
- Recommendation 7 (for Council): Establish a Council process to reassess funding priorities.
- Recommendation 8 (for Council): Continue current granting streams as established in the Community Development Grant Policy.
The first six recommendations are under the purview of the City Manager and will proceed with her direction. Recommendations seven and eight will proceed as directed by City Council at today’s regular Council meeting.

Sorensen Station Washrooms

City Council discussed the Sorensen Station Washroom project and instructed administration to move forward with plans to have the facilities open by the end of March 2026.
More details are available in a news release posted to The City’s website.

BYLAWS:

Committees Bylaw Update (Establishment of a Police Committee)

City Council approved, first, second and third reading of an amendment to the Council Committees Bylaw. This decision enables Administration to being recruiting to establish a Policing Committee. Administration’s recommendations are based on feedback received from Council at the Committee of the Whole Meeting held on February 5, 2025.
A municipal policing committee aims to give residents a stronger role in setting the priorities and performance goals of the RCMP.
Administration recommends the volunteer committee include 7 voting members (2 Councillors, 5 Citizen Representatives). Non-voting members will include the Red Deer RCMP Officer in Charge, the Manager of Safe and Heather Communities and the Manager of Municipal Policing.
Administration will develop a recruitment campaign that will roll out publicly in the coming weeks.

2025 Utilities Borrowing Bylaws (3 Readings)

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City Council Recap – February 24, 2025