City council approves budget – property tax increase of 6.15%

2024 amended budget approved

(Thursday), Council finished deliberating an amended 2024 operating and capital budget, after three days of deliberations. The updated approved budget includes an increase in tax revenues of $9.3 million which is approximately a 6.15 per cent municipal property tax increase.

“This is, without question, one of the more challenging budgets I have been part of in my time on Council,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “Over the last two days, we have had difficult conversations and in-depth debate on how to best situate our community for growth and success in a financially responsible way. Today, City Council approved a budget that aims to strike a balance – a budget that considers the tax impact at a time when inflation is significantly affecting both our citizens and the City, while continuing to invest in the programs and services our citizens need and expect in Red Deer.”

A 6.15 per cent municipal tax increase for 2024 does not mean that each individual property tax bill will change by that amount; the final amount will be determined once requisitions are provided to The City in the spring. Individual property taxes may be lower, higher, or about the same based on how an individual property is assessed. Properties that experience a change in value below the average will see an increase that is below the average, while properties that experience a change in value above the average change will see an increase that is above the average.

“My Council colleagues and I keenly aware that any increase in costs impacts our residents, especially given today’s economic climate; however, the increased property tax increase is critical in order to ensure we can continue providing the services that keep our city running,” said Mayor Johnston.

The approved increase of 6.15 per cent in 2024 equates to an additional $9.3 million in municipal tax revenue. In relation to a typical home assessed at $345,000 in Red Deer, this would equal a municipal property tax increase of $154.63 per year, $12.89 per month, or an average weekly increase of $2.97 towards the services Red Deerians rely on each day.

The City of Red Deer’s budget covers the essential services residents use every day. This includes everything from the roads we drive on, the water we drink, the streetlights that guide our way, the recreation facilities we enjoy, and emergency services and municipal police who keep us safe and healthy.

“The budget approved by City Council today considers the many external pressures we as a municipality face during times of higher costs, slower recovery, and reduced revenues. And we know we are not alone in this; we know we have citizens and businesses in our community who face these same pressures,” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “Administration provided a transparent and honest picture of our financial situation and the work ahead to change our path before it is unmanageable. City Council approved a budget that will enable us as an organization to continue to provide services to our community and recognized the work Council and administration needs to do to change our path forward. This budget is not just about 2024, it is about planning for the years to come.”

Some of the highlights of the amended 2024 budget include:

Funding for municipal by-election, but reduced from $450,000 to $350,000
Funding for an Integrity Commissioner, but reduced from $105,000 to $85,000.
Greater Downtown Community Development Plan
Software maintenance increases
Stormwater infrastructure
Wastewater Treatment Plant Biosolids Lagoon Liner
Emergency Services CAD System Refresh

“Over the last three days, City Council and administration worked through a budget process that focuses on core business and the critical needs of our community,” said Mike Olesen, Growth and Finance General Manager. “Working through a budget is never easy, and this year’s process was especially challenging as we worked to improve our future position. “We’re looking forward to building on this work as we develop our financial management plans and systems in the coming months.”

For more information on the budgets, visit reddeer.ca/budget.

Related Topics:#CityBudget2024 #MayorKenJohnston #RedDeerCityCouncil #RedDeerTaxIncrease feature

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Over 25 Canadian cities support initiative designating December as Christian Heritage Month

Published on November 5, 2024

Todayville

From LifeSiteNews

By Anthony Murdoch

Major cities that have signed on include Ajax, Durham, Sudbury, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls in Ontario, Alberta municipalities Red Deer and Okotoks, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, Whistler and Prince George have also signed the petition.

More than 25 Canadian municipalities signed onto a proclamation declaring December as “Christian Heritage Month.”

The proclamation also asks provinces to take the initiative to declare the last month of the year in recognition of Christianity as an important part of Canadian heritage given the fact other faiths have special months of their own.

Major cities that have signed on include Ajax, Durham, Sudbury, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls in Ontario, Alberta municipalities Red Deer and Okotoks, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, Whistler and Prince George have also signed the petition.

All of the cities have pledged to bring forth legislation that enshrines December as Christian Heritage Month into local law. Many have already done so.

The move by Canadian cities comes after the federal government and provincial governments have yet to proclaim December as Chrisitan Heritage Month.

According to the Christian Heritage Month Initiative, its mission is to have December “declared as Christian Heritage Month, recognizing the values of love, service, and compassion that define the Christian community.”

“The Christian Heritage Month Initiative is a dynamic, multi-denominational movement dedicated to celebrating the vibrant cultural, social, and artistic contributions of Canada’s Christian community,” the initiative says.

The initiative is under the leadership of Jay and Molly Banerjei, who are behind the Christian Music Festival. The organization says that the initiative “unites diverse voices and fosters a sense of belonging, enriching our nation’s identity and promoting inclusivity for all.”

Looking at Mississauga’s recent council motion that designates December as Christian Heritage Month, councillors have said its province under Premier Doug Ford should do the same.

It reads that Christianity is among the “diverse faiths followed by Mississauga residents and one of the most followed religions in Canada and Mississauga. Christians have made valuable contributions to the cultural, social, religious, and humanitarian fabric of our city and have played an important role in shaping our diverse community.”

The Mississauga motion also makes a point that December is “marked by significant events and celebrations in the Christian calendar, commencing with the observance of Advent and culminating in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, which is also known as Christmas.”

“Christian organizations and places of worship in Mississauga offer religious services, unique events, and initiatives that highlight a strong Christian heritage during the month of December,” and it’s “also widely associated with the tradition of gift giving and the gathering of family, friends, and people of all faiths, during the Christmas season,” its councillors wrote.

“Recognizing the month of December, which is a significant month in the Christian calendar, as Christian Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all residents to celebrate the history, traditions, and teachings of the Christian faith, promoting understanding and appreciation of the diverse religious and cultural heritage of our city.”

Canada is historically a nation founded on Christian ideals and principles. European settlers who came to Canada from France and then later from what is the modern-day United Kingdom were Christian and included missionaries who tried to spread the faith to the local Indigenous populations.

Canada has observed Christmas since 1641, well before its official founding, according to some historical records.

As reported by LifeSiteNews, Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) MPs have urged all Canadians to support a petition that calls on the federal government to proclaim December as “Christian Heritage Month.”

Last year, CPC MP Marilyn Gladu introduced a Private Member’s Bill C-369 that would designate December as “Christian Heritage Month,” saying this is only the “fair and right” thing to do.

The bill reads that “In the negotiations that brought about Confederation, Canada was originally named ‘Dominion of Canada,’ a name reportedly inspired by the passage in the Bible (King James Version) at Psalm 72:8, which says, ‘He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.’”

The bill states that December in Canada marks “significant events and celebrations in the Christian calendar, from the beginning of Advent to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ; And whereas, according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census of Population, Christianity is the largest religion in Canada, with over half of Canadians identifying as Christian.”

City of Red Deer

City Council looking for options to reduce hundreds of encampments

Published on September 14, 2024

City of Red Deer

New actions for response to urban encampments being considered by City Council

New actions for The City’s response to urban encampments will be considered by Council on Monday, with a focus on interim and long-term solutions to homelessness. The proposed actions include everything from maintaining a balanced mitigation strategy to exploring interim housing solutions.

The report comes in response to Councillor Lee’s Notice of Motion re: Urban Encampment Responses that Council approved during the 2024 budget debate. The report reviews the past five years of data, analyzes service levels, and evaluates Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response. The key recommendations in the report focus on providing a balanced approach to mitigating the effects of encampments while working towards long-term solutions for homelessness. These recommendations include:

Consistent Mitigation: Maintain The City’s current approach to encampment responses, ensuring the most balanced mitigation strategy available at this time to protect public lands while supporting vulnerable individuals.
Advocacy for Shelter Strategy: Council will continue to advocate to the Government of Alberta for a comprehensive shelter strategy, including the development of a low-barrier 24/7 emergency shelter with a Recovery-Oriented System of Care.
Review of Transitional Housing: Request that the Housing and Homelessness Integrated Committee (HHIC) review the potential for new transitional housing infrastructure as an interim solution to support individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

“The City’s current policy is still achieving its target of having sites cleaned within 14 days. Despite a substantial increase in encampments, responses have continued to be increasingly efficient, largely due to enhanced relationships and experience levels,” said Jodi Kelloway, Acting Superintendent, Social Wellness and Integration Supports. “In recent months, we have seen a significant rise in the number of people experiencing homelessness, with shelters operating at or near capacity. Many individuals living in encampments have limited or no alternative options available. It is important that we continue to improve our response while building capacity within the housing continuum that considers current realities and the unique needs of community members who are unsheltered. The actions we propose in today’s report are about building and expanding on what we already do.”

Under the current policy, The City has a level of service that urban encampments, debris, and belongings are to be removed within 14 days of an initial report, 90 per cent of the time. While The City’s current response to urban encampments is effective, with 98 per cent of camps being cleaned up within 14 days, the number of encampments continues to rise. In 2023 alone, 881 encampments were dismantled, with a projected overall increase of 75 per cent by the end of 2024.

Costs related to encampment clean-up have reached approximately $2.87 million over the last five years, shared among several City departments, including Parks, Public Works, and Emergency Services. Despite increased efficiency, the growing number of encampments presents ongoing challenges and concerns.

The City’s Encampment Assertive Outreach team continues to engage individuals living in encampments, providing referrals to social and housing services. However, the report notes that many individuals face barriers to accessing shelter due to personal circumstances, such as the need for privacy, the ability to be with their partners, accommodation for pets or possessions, highlighting the ongoing need for tailored solutions.

Councillor Lee’s January 8, 2024, Notice of Motion called for administration to consider the following:

Reducing the time to dismantle encampments.
Preventing establishment of encampments.
Connecting rough sleepers with social supports and understanding overall community shelter capacity.
Develop recommendations for individuals setting up or using encampments to encourage them to seek alternative shelter.
How much money The City has spent on the cleanup of encampments over the past five years, and how much subsidy, if any, has been provided by other levels of government.
Including the continuum of housing that is currently available in Red Deer and what is needed.
That Administration report to council on the progress of the review of Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response”.

“The City of Red Deer is committed to supporting the health and safety of those sleeping rough, citizens who are enjoying parks, trails and public spaces, and staff responding to encampments,” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “Unfortunately, urban encampment work is a very short-term solution to a very complex health, housing, and public safety need in our community. The ability to reduce homelessness in Red Deer is significantly impacted by the lack of affordable and supportive housing supply. Until this is resolved, we will continue in this cycle of clean up.”

More detailed information is available in the City Council report located on the Council Meetings and Schedule page.