Proposed 2019 operating budget focuses on community safety, sustainability
Maintaining the vision while managing expectations is the goal behind next year’s operating budget for the City of Red Deer.
City Manager Craig Curtis says the recommended operating budget for 2019 has a focus on community safety, consideration of the current state of growth, the economy and efforts to maintain the quality of life for Red Deerians.
Curtis says city council’s direction is for property taxes to not exceed a 2.5 per cent increase in 2019, but still include a one per cent capital contribution for amenity growth.
“The biggest challenge is obviously the revenue,” states Curtis. “When we started, we were 12.5 per cent which hadn’t yet taken into account any tax increase. Looking at every single area of operation, we asked each department to come up with cost savings, so you’ll see areas where we’ve generated new revenue or existing revenue.”