Draft Budget Moves to Full Council for Final Approval

Budget Clears Committee Hurdle

Red Deer County’s Governance & Priorities Committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to send the draft operating budget and capital plan to Council for final consideration.

This move puts the County one step closer to finalizing its spending and tax rates for the upcoming year. Director of Corporate Services Jeremy Graves presented the draft, though specific dollar amounts were not debated in the open session before the vote.

Why It Matters

The budget dictates how much residents pay in property taxes and which infrastructure projects, like road repairs and equipment upgrades, get funded. By referring the draft to Council, the committee signaled they are satisfied with the current financial roadmap.

Investigation Secrecy and Smoke Complaints

Councillor Dana Depalme (Division 3) reported receiving repetitive inquiries from residents regarding an active investigation. Administration responded that status updates are not provided to the public to protect the integrity of the case.

Depalme also addressed concerns about smoke from a burn pile. Fire Services confirmed they responded to the site but found the smoke was caused by weather conditions rather than illegal burning.

Glennifer Lake Infrastructure

Residents in Division 5 seeking clarity on local services received a definitive answer. Councillor Carly Hansen followed up on the status of Glennifer Lake, with Administration confirming the infrastructure in that area is privately owned and not the responsibility of the County.

Transparency on Expenses

Mayor Brent Ramsay requested that Administration begin providing monthly updates on Councillor expenses. The move aims to provide more regular transparency regarding how elected officials spend taxpayer funds.

In other business, the Mayor noted the County will be submitting a formal letter regarding proposed electoral boundary adjustments.

Closed-Door Sessions

The committee spent over three hours in a closed session to discuss two items: the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) performance review and a project titled "Rural Connect."

Officials cited privacy laws and the protection of third-party business interests as the reasons for the secrecy. No public details were provided regarding the status or cost of the Rural Connect project.

What’s Next

The draft budget will now go before a regular Council meeting for a final vote. Once approved, the County will set the property tax bylaws for the 2026 fiscal year.