On November 12, 2024, Red Deer County Council tabled the 2025-2027 Operating budget and the 2025-2029 Capital Plan in search of public input.
The budget strives to maintain service levels at a projected 3.5 percent tax rate increase.
At $117.9 million, the 2025 budget is the largest in Red Deer County history.
Red Deer County is in year two, of a five-year plan to increase its operating surplus, so that its capital spending will be fully funded without the use of reserves.
Capital spending in 2025 will increase to $53.4M from last year’s $45.7M.
Major projects include the Airport Drive extension to the C&E Trail, the expansion of the Junction 42 Rest Area including a new roundabout at Highway 42 and Junction Drive., and the first phase of the Little Red Deer River Road rehabilitation (Township Road 354).
Key Initiatives and Infrastructure Investments for 2025:
- *Airport Drive | Phase 3 & 4 $8.1M
- Programs: Bridge ($7.9M), Paving ($5.6M), Chipseal ($1.5M), Regravel ($5.0M)
- Transit Buses $4.0M
- **Junction 42 Rest Area Expansion $3.8M
- **Junction Drive & Highway 42 Roundabout $5.6M
- TR354 (Little Red Deer Road phased work) $3.7M
- **Leva & Laura Avenue Roundabout Improvements $2.0 M
- Fire Apparatus/Protective Services Vehicle Replacements $1.8M
- Big Bend Airport Runway Improvements $1.7M
- Red Deer Regional Airport (Capital Contribution) $1.2M
- Financial System Upgrade (phased work) $1M
*100% cost recovery provided by the Red Deer Regional Airport
**100% cost recovery provided by the Government of Alberta
Members of the public have two weeks to provide feedback on the information presented in Council.
Click here to learn more about the Community Resiliency Navigator, or to view the draft Budget Highlights, and Gasoline Alley East Transit options.
Email suggestions to: feedback@rdcounty.ca or call 403.350.2150.
Once comments are received, the budget will return to Council on November 26, 2024 for approval.
Any written correspondence will be shared publicly in Council.
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