City Council recap – October 1

The following decisions were made by City Council during October 1, 2024, meeting:

CLOSED:

• A union update was provided to Council. More information is available here:CUPE agreement ratified by Council.
• An update related to shelter was provided to City Council.  

CONSENT AGENDA:

Financial Profile report

• This item was severed from the Consent Agenda and Mike Olesen, GM of Growth and Finance delivered a presentation to Council. This presentation provided an updated overall financial profile to Council in advance of Budget 2025.
• The report and presentation also outlined, at a high level, The City’s financial situation, including an estimated deficit of $17-$19 million, along with an overview of expected expenses, revenues, and capital expenses. 

REPORTS:

Changes to Municipal Consent and Access Fees

• Council approved an increase to the Municipal Consent and Access Fee (MCAF) from the current 10% to 15% for the electricity, water and wastewater utilities.
• In Red Deer, the MCAF is a franchise fee set by The City for utility providers to access municipal land for the construction, operating and maintenance of the distribution systems serving customers.
• To prepare for budget 2025, administration recommended increasing the MCAF from the current 10% to 15% for electricity, water and wastewater. This will increase revenue to the tax supported budget by $4 million. 
• Changes to the MCAF will impact utility rates as this fee is charged by the utility operated to customers.

Quarterly Community Policing Report

• Red Deer RCMP presented the April 1 to June 30, 2024 report which included the following points of interest:
• Red Deer RCMP continue to connect with the community through event attendance, crime reduction education sessions, and the creation of its Diversity Advisory Council, which has 10 committee members. Public education has focused on trending issues such as the “grandparent” fraud targeting seniors as well as Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED).
• During Quarter 1, the Red Deer RCMP continued to increase police visibility and public safety by deploying the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) 33 times, conducted nine UTV patrols along the trail system, and the Virtual Opioid Dependency teams attended 57 calls.
• In Q1, persons crimes decreased by 8 per cent, and property crimes decreased a 14 per cent.
• There was a 24 per cent increase in municipal bylaw enforcement. This is due to an increase in proactive enforcement by Community Peace Officers and the RCMP.

2025 Utilities Budget

• Council approved the 2025 Utilities Budget, which includes the 2025 operating and capital budgets for the electric utility, water utility and waste management utility.
• In developing the budget, administration focussed on the following key areas:
• Setting rates to manage affordability and stability for customers.
• The long-term sustainability of all Utilities, while giving consideration for the maximized return on these community-owned assets.
• Investing appropriately in infrastructure and staffing resources to maintain the reliability, responsiveness and marketability of the business.
• Optimizing and improving returns to our owners (The City) to allow budget certainty and financial benefit.
• Increases to the electric, water/wastewater and waste management rates were approved, as outlined in the chart below. In addition to these rate increases, the approved increase to the Municipal Consent and Access Fee (MCAF), will affect rates.
• For the average household, the average total monthly increase would be $15.32.
• Read the 2025 Utilities Budget document (pdf)  

For more information, contact:

Community & Public Relations
The City of Red Deer