Red Deer Downtown Business Association (Image Credit: rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Vote in March

City council approves bylaw to initiate BIA disestablishment process

Jan 13, 2026 | 4:43 PM

Red Deer city council unanimously approved first reading of the Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) disestablishment bylaw on Tuesday, which initiates a provincially legislated process.

They also approved a revised 2026 operating budget for the Downtown Business Association (DBA) and rescinded the previous budget set in November 2025.

The move means an in-person vote will be held on March 16, 2026, for levy payers and businesses within the BIA to make their voices heard and vote on the disestablishment.

The city says details on voting eligibility, timelines and procedures will be communicated directly to affected businesses and property owners in the coming weeks.

“Today’s decision is about ensuring transparency, accountability and giving downtown levy payers a clear voice in what happens next,” said Mayor Cindy Jefferies.

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“First reading of the bylaw does not make a final decision – it starts a process that puts the choice in the hands of those directly affected. I strongly encourage eligible businesses and property owners to participate in the vote, as the outcome will play an important role in informing council’s final decision. Throughout this process, the city is committed to maintaining downtown services and ensuring there are no gaps in programs, events, or supports for our community.”

In December, the Downtown Business Association publicly announced it would cease operations by the end of 2025 because the board of directors determined it is no longer able to operate sustainably under the current financial framework for the new year.

However, the City of Red Deer said at the time that it couldn’t happen without process, including a vote from DBA members.

The BIA Board submitted a formal request to city council on Dec. 11, 2025, asking that the BIA be disestablished.

Meantime, the revised 2026 budget, the city says, reflects council’s direction to align financial planning with the potential disestablishment of the BIA. The budget prioritizes the continuation of essential downtown services while reducing new levy requirements and relies on the DBA society’s existing reserve funds to support an orderly wind-down of operations should disestablishment proceed.

The city says a majority vote in opposition will prevent the bylaw from moving forward and will directly inform council’s decision on whether to proceed with second and third readings of the disestablishment bylaw.

In addition, the revision of the 2026 DBA budget means that downtown programs and services will continue throughout the process

If the disestablishment proceeds, the city will provide oversight and coordination to ensure continuity of services and to prevent service gaps during any transition period.