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January 4, 2010
(Red Deer, Alberta) – Red Deer City Council will begin reviewing The City’s 2010 operating budget on Tuesday, January 5 as the next steps in the 2010 budget process. The 2010 capital budget was approved on November 23, 2009.
“The overall goal of the 2010 operating budget is adjusting to the new economic reality,” said City Manager Craig Curtis. “The global recession certainly had an effect on The City’s finances, and we have had to hold the line while maintaining the vision of the organization.”
Since September 2009, the operating budget has gone through an extensive review process, and the proposed budget is based on initiatives in City department service plans. Most initiatives came forward to Council for approval as part of previous plans, strategies and reports.
“This was one of our toughest budgets. Administration has worked hard to bring Council a budget that reflects the priorities of our city, maintains affordability for citizens and protects levels of service,” said Curtis.
The submitted budget shows an average tax increase of 4.06 per cent. However, Curtis notes, “this figure is only a starting point and will be impacted by Council debate.” Based on the submitted budget, a home, which experienced the average assessment value change and is assessed at $280,000 for the 2010 tax year, will see an average monthly increase of $2.30, weekly increase of $0.58 or a daily increase of eight cents towards the services used on a daily basis.
Some key budget initiatives include growth of our parks system, a RCMP member fee agreement, fleet rate increases, Red Deer Public Library budget increase, Red Deer Regional Airport grant and staffing of the new Transit Customer Service Centre going into the downtown parkade.
“The budget was prepared based on the need to be responsive to the community’s desire to keep tax increases to an absolute minimum during these difficult times, even if this results in a reduction of service,” said Lorraine Poth, Director of Corporate Services. “There are other new pressures we face for the first time, like increased costs for annexation and new growth areas as well as a reduction of revenue on all fronts, including investments.”
Over the next two weeks, service plans and related service plan funding requirements will be presented to City Council for their consideration. Council will debate the operating budget on January 13, 14 and 15.
Citizens can learn more about the 2010 budget by downloading Budget 2010: Adjusting to the new economic reality from The City’s website at www.reddeer.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Craig Curtis Lorraine Poth
City Manager Director of Corporate Services
The City of Red Deer The City of Red Deer
403-342-8156 403-342-8737
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