By Josh Hall

Red Deer County council briefs: Nov. 1,

Red Deer County council briefs: Budget feedback sought, plus community grants approved

Nov 2, 2023 | 3:11 PM

Red Deer County council is seeking public feedback on its 2024-2026 operating budget and 2024-2028 capital plan prior to approval on Nov. 28.

The projected budget comes with a 3.5 per cent tax rate increase, and maintaining of current service levels.

“Red Deer County continues to feel the realities of inflation, and council continues to be vigilant on maintaining services levels for roads, bridge maintenance and snow plowing,” says Mayor Jim Wood. “We are proof of a progressive council with broadband underway to better serve our residents and ratepayers.”

The 2024 budget, at 113.3 million, is the largest in Red Deer County history, and as Mayor Wood alluded to, includes more investment in rural broadband. It also supports development for the airport and Junction 42.

It also includes:

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• Airport Drive Extension $11.3M
• Paving Program $10.2M
• Internet Broadband Infrastructure $8.6M
• Bridge Program $3.0M
• Leva & Laura Avenue Roundabout Expansion $2.1M
• Fire Apparatus/ Protective Services Vehicle Replacement $1.3M
• Springbrook Main Lift Station Replacement $0.9M

Capital spending will increase in 2024 from $42.4 million to 46.9 million.

Members of the public have three weeks to provide feedback on the information being presented. The draft budget report can be found online at www.rdcounty.ca/budget. 

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Capital assistance grants

For the last 16 years, the County has aided organizations and their projects through its Rural Community Facility Capital Assistance Grants, with a budget of $300,000 for 2023.

This year, requests came in totaling $449,028.45, prompting some tough decisions.

Using a funding matrix, the County ranked the projects in order of priority. Organizations also provided a lower ‘priority amount’ in the case the County could not provide the entire amount.

Approved unanimously were the following amounts:

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Elnora and District washroom reno

Separately, the Elnora Pioneer Club had submitted a request for money to renovate its non-gender specific washrooms at the Pioneer Club Drop-In Centre.

The request for $12,159 — half the project’s cost — was approved unanimously. The club had previously spent the money using its casino account, a loan and GICs.

The club applied to the provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP), but hasn’t heard back yet. It’s application was done with help from the Village of Elnora, which declined to provide financial help, but could offer in-kind grant-writing assistance.

Councillor Philip Massier moved that the funding be approved without the stipulation that a matching CFEP grant be received as well.

Washrooms at the facility had never been renovated and were cramped, the County notes. They were difficult to maneuver for those with mobility issues, and had no disability aids or access.

Administration noted that it’s likely the club will come back to the County if the CFEP grant application is unsuccessful.

Red Deer County owns the land where the drop-in centre is located, and has a lease agreement with the Pioneer Club through 2024, though it’s anticipated that lease will be extended for another decade.

Club membership is split between village and county residents.

The County contribution comes from Community Services’ budget to put toward facilities in other municipalities.

The last five times the County funded a project in Elnora were in 2020, 2018, twice in 2013 and once in 2008.

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Innisfail playground space 

County council also unanimously approved $35,000 to put towards the Innisfail Community Recreational Playground project, which is a partnership between Chinook’s Edge School Division and Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

Slated for completion in September 2024, the accessible project will be located at the Chinook’s Edge-owned Innisfail Campus — comprised of Innisfail Middle, Innisfail High and John Wilson Elementary.

The project’s total budget is just shy of $273,000, plus GST, according to the County. About $58,000 has been raised so far, with another $25,000 hoping to be fundraised. The remainder will come from provincial and federal grants, the divisions are hoping.

County dollars, meanwhile, will come from the municipal reserve account, which sits at $1.492 million.

“Any funds granted for this project will not significantly impact these reserves,” admin noted.

It’s estimated 500-600 students will use the space regularly, and more than 800 families will benefit.

The last three times the County funded a project in Innisfail were in 2020, 2010 and 2008.

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Delburne AG Society funding

In Delburne, the local Agricultural Society is in need of a new ice resurfacer (Zamboni) at the Agri-Plex.

With a budget of $60,000, minor hockey is contributing $3,000 and the figure skating club has raised $2,500. The Village of Delburne is giving $3,000 as well.

The request to the County was for the remaining $51,500, though council chose to approve half of that — $25,750. It is also not contingent on a CFEP grant being approved, something the organization has not yet applied for.

This request was originally made under the Rural Community Facility Capital Assistance Grant program (see above), but because the project is within another municipality, it doesn’t meet the criteria.

Red Deer County does, however, own the land where the ice resurfacer will be used and has a lease agreement with the society though the year 2083.

The County has provided financial assistance to Delburne, mostly involving the ag society, in 2017, twice in 2014, and once each in 2013, 2011, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

More on the Oct. 31, 2023 County council meeting and agenda can be viewed here.