Council boosting budget for Downtown Business Association

Council approves 2024 DBA budget, increased investment in events

The Downtown Business Association is investing more time, money and energy into downtown events following City Council approving its 2024 budget. During the presentation today, DBA Executive Director, Amanda Gould and Board Chair, Brandon Bouchard outlined the organization’s plans for the upcoming year to continue to work towards creating a busier downtown that intends to result to increased support for businesses within the Business Improvement Area (BIA).

“The DBA remains steadfast in its objective to build on the growth seen in 2023. The collaboration between The City of Red and the DBA is at all time high and with the pending actions set to be delivered through the Downtown Activation Playbook, I know there are many great things to come that will support our business community and create the thriving downtown we all want to experience,” said Amanda Gould, DBA Executive Director.

“Today Council demonstrated their commitment to their strategic priorities with the support shown to the DBA through unanimous support of the 2024 budget. This mighty Association continues to do great work on a shoestring budget and the 2024 Board of Directors are keen to lend their expertise and entrepreneurial skills to benefit the downtown in its entirety.”
Brandon Bouchard, DBA Board Chair

The DBA’s budget is partially funded through the BIA tax levy, which is collected by The City of Red Deer. Each year, the DBA presents its proposed budget to Council for their consideration. When reviewing the budget, Council considers alignment between the DBA’s downtown priorities and City’s community priorities.

“DBA has constantly hit far above its weight in our downtown, I can’t think of a more supportive messenger of promotion than the team at the DBA, it’s so encouraging to see this strong support for our downtown,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “I’m encouraged by the leadership and direction of the DBA and look forward to what they have in store for 2024. They continually bring positive initiatives to the downtown even with the constraint on finances.”

The DBA’s total approved budget for 2024 is $775,160, with $277,725 funded through the BIA with the remaining amount funded through items such as grants and contracts. The BIA portion for 2024 is an increase of five per cent from 2023.

The Downtown Business Association has been operating in Red Deer for more than 30 years, serving approximately 350 business owners in the Downtown area. Through partnerships and leadership in advocacy and promotion, the DBA is the catalyst for a vibrant and prosperous downtown that is the place to live, work, play and do business.

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Cindy Jefferies is Mayor. Tristin Brisbois, Cassandra Curtis, Jaelene Tweedle, and Adam Goodwin new Councillors – 2025 Red Deer General Election Results

City of Red Deer / 1 month ago

Plan Ahead: Voting May Take a Little Longer This Election Day

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City of Red Deer

Cindy Jefferies is Mayor. Tristin Brisbois, Cassandra Curtis, Jaelene Tweedle, and Adam Goodwin new Councillors – 2025 Red Deer General Election Results

Published on October 23, 2025

City of Red Deer

Showing official results for: Mayor of The City of Red Deer

#	Candidate Name	Votes	Percentage
1	JEFFERIES, Cindy	6237	41%
2	SCOTT, Gareth	3483	23%
3	DOERKSEN, Victor	3143	20%
4	LEE, Lawrence	2215	14%
5	GALLAGHER, John	298	2%
	Rejected Ballots	0	0%

Showing official results for: Councillor of The City of Red Deer

#	Candidate Name	Votes	Percentage
1	BRISBOIS, Tristin	6703	7%
2	CURTIS, Cassandra	6422	7%
3	KRAHN, Chad	6249	7%
4	BARNSTABLE, Kraymer	6235	7%
5	WYNTJES, Dianne	6069	7%
6	TWEEDLE, Jaelene	5635	6%
7	GOODWIN, Adam	5290	6%
8	BURUMA, Bruce	5241	6%
9	GOULET-JONES, Calvin	5050	5%
10	HUIZING, Hans	4810	5%
11	BOUCHARD, Brandon	4528	5%
12	MACDONALD, Ashley Jason	3832	4%
13	BUCHANAN, Buck	3660	4%
14	MOHAMOUD, Zainab	3478	4%
15	SYPKES, Thomas	3459	4%
16	BECK, Gabriel	3370	4%
17	PARKS, Gail	2809	3%
18	YZERMAN, Calvin	2265	2%
19	WILE, Haley	1986	2%
20	COMÉTE, Christian	1843	2%
21	KLERKS, Kevin M.	1699	2%
22	ROBINSON, Don	1296	1%
23	MARTIN, Greg	656	1%
24	KLYWAK, Anthony	444	0%
	Rejected Ballots	0	0%

Showing official results for: Trustee of the Red Deer Public School Division

#	Candidate Name	Votes	Percentage
1	SOMMERS, Angela	3320	9%
2	BUCHANAN, Nicole	3180	9%
3	MACAULAY, Dianne	3119	8%
4	WATTERS, Jim	3038	8%
5	BAIRD SMITH, Emilee	2753	7%
6	DAVIES, Nathan	2749	7%
7	DALSTRA, Jason	2722	7%
8	CHRISTENSEN, Sheri	2701	7%
9	PARKER, Jenessa	2581	7%
10	PEACOCKE, Cathy	2573	7%
11	WILLIAMS, Danielle	2342	6%
12	ODISHAW, Shelley Lynn	2187	6%
13	SYMONS, Jessica	1881	5

Trustee of the Red Deer Catholic Separate School Division, Red Deer Area Ward

#	Candidate Name	Votes	Percentage
1	ANDREW, Chris	2020	14%
2	MACDONALD, Brenda	1354	10%
3	REED, Martin (Marty)	1082	8%
4	LEYSON, Cynthia	1050	8%
5	HUBER, Emily	1037	7%
6	HOLLMAN, Murray	1036	7%
7	DONOVAN, Matthew	1021	7%
8	GROENEN, John	974	7%
9	STEEVES, Rod	921	7%
10	PASULA, Kim	911	7%
11	BECK, Gabriel	825	6%
12	HUNTER, Ashley	811	6%

City of Red Deer

Plan Ahead: Voting May Take a Little Longer This Election Day

Published on October 20, 2025

City of Red Deer

News release from the City of Red Deer

Voters are encouraged to plan their vote and allow a little extra time at the polls this Election Day, Monday, October 20.

Because this year’s election uses Alberta’s new Permanent Elector Registry, voting may take slightly longer than in previous years. Municipalities are required to provide updated voter information back to the province after the election. As a result, many voters will be asked to complete an Elector Register Form (Form 13) at the voting station — even if they are already registered to vote. This ensures that voter information is accurate and up to date. Once the registry information has been updated, all forms are securely shredded.

Additionally, the Permanent Elector Registry is not shared with local school boards, so anyone voting for a School Board Trustee must also complete an Elector Register Form (Form 13).

We appreciate voters’ patience as our election teams work to ensure every eligible voter can cast their ballot accurately and securely. Once the voting process begins, most voters complete their vote in about 10 minutes.

To help avoid lineups, voters can visit Red Deer Elections website to check real-time wait times at each voting station and choose the location with the shortest line.

Anyone who arrives at a polling station and joins a line before 8 p.m. will be able to vote.

Thank you for your understanding and for taking the time to make your voice heard in Red Deer’s 2025 Municipal and School Board Election.