Red Deer city council briefs: DBA financial wind-up, cart collection update, and financial reserves policy

The final audited financial statements were prepared on a liquidation basis and recorded $80,023.77 as payable to the City of Red Deer.

More specifically, the $80,023.77 will be put toward $29,609.30 of direct disestablishment vote costs and $18,527.69 related to 2025 BIA tax under-collection.

The remaining balance of $31,886.78 will be put toward costs associated with completing the BIA wind-down.

According to the administration report, the BIA was formally disestablished on May 27, and the Downtown Business Association ceased operations on February 28.

2026 budget amendment – Building Safer Communities Fund

The City of Red Deer has approved to receive additional grant funding of over $1.2 million from Public Safety Canada’s Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF) for April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029.

According to city administration, the city has been receiving funding from the BSCF since 2022 for local prevention and intervention for youth related to gun and gang violence.

Administration said these funds were invested in community-identified priorities, including specialized outreach and developmental programs supporting vulnerable Red Deer youth.

Public Safety Canada advised the city that they were eligible to receive the additional funds and council has approved it.

Extended producer responsibility and cart collection services update

Red Deer city council accepted a report from administration as information, including news that there will be an extended list of accepted recyclable items.

The City of Red Deer announced that the Government of Alberta’s EPR program is set to expand its list of accepted recyclable materials across the province on October 1, 2026.

This means residents will be able to recycle additional materials, including glass containers, plastic containers, foam packaging, flexible plastics such as plastic bags and chip bags, aerosol containers, metal, aluminum and other packaging materials.

They added that on April 1, 2027, responsibility for residential recycling collection in Red Deer will transition from the city to a contractor retained by Circular Materials.

Financial reserves council policy update

Red Deer city council unanimously approved adopting an updated financial reserves policy.

According to administration, the policy establishes consistent guidelines and standards for managing financial reserves for the city. It also promotes strong financial leadership, planning, and stability, ensuring the long-term viability of the municipality in terms of its financial roadmap.

The financial reserves council policy has been updated to strengthen reserve governance, improve transparency, and better support long-term financial stability.

Some of the key updates include improved policy structure for greater clarity, a clearer governance framework and role delegations, and closer alignment with comparative municipalities.

Since it was approved, administration will be authorized to make sounder financial management decisions related to financial reserves.

Concerns raised by council sparked councillor Tristin Brisbois to bring forward an amended resolution that would have deferred the decision to a later date but it was withdrawn after discussion.

Administration warned council that if it was not approved there could be potential reputational risk if the city does not have a robust financial reserves policy to tackle financial challenges.

It’s important to note this decision did not have any direct financial impacts.

Application for dynamic fascia sign site exception at 4840 51 Street

Red Deer city council approved the first reading of a zoning bylaw amendment for an application for a dynamic fascia sign site exception at 4840 51 Street.

As a result, a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 29, at 5 p.m.

Administration explained the dynamic fascia sign has already been constructed on the south façade of the building without a development permit. A stop order was issued on May 13, 2026, and the sign is currently turned off.

(Image Credit: City of Red Deer/Supplied)

Afterwards, the landowner applied for a site exception that would allow a development permit application for the existing sign to be considered by the development authority.

Administration does not recommend the approval of the bylaw amendment; however, they did recommend that council give first reading so that the application proceeds to a public hearing.

Administration explained they do not support the application because the location of the sign, which is immediately adjacent to traffic signals and a controlled intersection. The amendment also does not align with city policy, and administration has concerns with the application.

by Ian Gustafson

Red Deer city council briefs: DBA financial wind-up, cart collection update, and financial reserves policy

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