(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Troy Gillard

Important week begins

City council begins budget deliberations

Nov 30, 2020 | 7:00 AM

Today marks day one of deliberations as Red Deer city council considers the proposed $219.2 million capital budget and $379.5 million operating budget for 2021.

City officials said earlier this month that the proposed spending plans are sensitive to economic times, and that taxpayers can be confident dollars will be spent efficiently.

Earlier this year, council approved budget guidelines stipulating a zero per cent property tax increase for 2021 and 2022, and that utility rates not increase more than 0.5 per cent.

For the first time, council will consider a multi-year budget as opposed to one year at a time. What that means for next year’s budget (proposed at $97.5 million) is that there will be a chance for revisions and tweaks, but the process won’t be as lengthy as in 2020.

$11 million was chopped from the proposed 2021 operating budget on the heels of The City of Red Deer’s organizational restructuring this past summer.

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Approximately $1.3 million is currently expected to be spent on COVID-19 response in 2021.

As for capital spending, a number of projects were moved to later in the ten-year capital plan in order to reduce spending over the next fiscal calendar. However, $26 million is still earmarked for paving over the next two years, and $153 million between now and 2030.

Significant work will continue in 2021 on the G.H. Dawe Community Centre expansion, including a second ice surface, increased accessibility, eastbound access directly onto 67 Street, and a new spray park. That project is funded by $7.3 million in long-term debt, $15.4 million from the feds, and $12.8 million from the province. It’s slated for completion in 2023.

Other capital projects proposed for 2021 include a fire training facility, Collicutt Centre fieldhouse roof remediation, a rail overpass on Highway 11A between Taylor Drive and Gaetz Avenue, and a new intersection at Taylor Drive and Hwy 11A. The latter two are part of the city’s growth north and into the Hazlett Lake area, and part of the North Highway Connector project.

The $22.4 million South East Sector Transportation System is prominent among the proposed projects for 2022.

Monday’s proceedings will begin with introductory remarks from City Manager Allan Seabrooke. Council will also hear from CFO Dean Krejci and Lisa Perkins, General Manager Corporate & Employee Services before getting an update on city reserves.

Council will also receive a report on the Citizen Budget public feedback exercise conducted from Nov. 5-18.

Budget talks get underway at 10 a.m. and are scheduled to run through the end of the week. You can follow the proceedings through the city’s website.