Residents are invited to give their input on the 2025 Operating Budget. Facing a projected $17 to $19 million shortfall, The City has tough choices ahead and we want to hear from the community.
Citizens are invited to visit engage.reddeer.ca to share their ideas and input through a variety of tools, including a survey, idea wall and a fund it tool, where citizens can tell us how they would allocate their tax dollar on specific services.
“We understand the need to make challenging decisions, and we are committed to working with the community to find solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with service delivery,” said Mike Olesen, GM Growth and Finance. “This is an important opportunity for Red Deerians to have their voices heard and help shape the future of our city’s programs and services.”
Facing significant financial pressures, City Council has already identified 24 budget change concepts aimed at bridging the financial gap. Other mechanisms at their disposal included exploring new funding sources, cost-saving measures, and potential tax adjustments.
Property taxes make up 38 per cent of the revenue in The City’s budget, while Utility User Fess make up 37 per cent. City Council passed the Utilities Budget on October 1, with increased utility fees, which will see the average monthly bill increase by $15.32, which includes an increase to the Municipal Consent and Access Fee (MCAF).
“Property taxes and utility user fees make up the majority of revenue in our budget,” said Olesen. Our next step is to present the capital budget later this month, and then by November when the tax-supported operating budget is presented in November, we will have a full picture of our financial profile. At that time, one the tools Council will have at their disposal for balancing the budget is property tax adjustments”
As an example, if the goal was to generate $17 million through tax, a typical house in Red Deer valued at $345,000 would see a potential monthly increase of $19.50-$26 per month.
A "What We Heard" report summarizing public input will be shared in late October, providing an overview of the community's feedback and insights gathered throughout the consultation process. The feedback collected will help guide City Council’s decisions as they prepare for the November budget debate.
Residents are encouraged to visit the Budget 2025 page on Engage Red Deer for more information and to participate in shaping the City’s financial future.