Red Deer
Common Sense Red Deer calls for caution from City Council considering 2024 budget
From Common Sense Red Deer
‘Tis the season for budget adjustments.
At this time of year, City Councils across the province are reevaluating their budgets and setting the financial course for the coming year.
What they should be doing is taking a close look at spending and seeing where they can cut back!
But, if recent developments in Calgary and Edmonton tell us anything, that’s the complete opposite of what is actually happening.
Thanks to recently passed budget amendments, Calgarians are staring down a 7.8% tax hike, while our neighbours in Edmonton are grappling with a 6.6% property tax increase.
Thankfully, that’s not what happened in Red Deer – but only because there were no budget adjustments in Red Deer at all!
Red Deer’s budget adjustments were supposed to begin at the November 27th Council meeting.
But, that discussion has been rescheduled to January 23rd, 2024.
Why?
Apparently, Administration needs a little more time to assess how much money will actually be available at the end of 2023.
Remember that this is the second year of a multi-year budget that already had a 4.12% increase built in for 2024.
Who knows what they’ll be proposing in January?
Recently, we shared with you how successful Red Deer County has been at managing their finances.
For the eighth consecutive year, the County received the Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
They may be close by, but their commitment to transparent, accountable budgeting is a world apart.
Red Deerians deserve transparency and accountability.
It might be bad in Edmonton and Calgary, but at least they know how bad it actually is.
We have to wait and see…
We refuse to accept higher taxes without a fight.
At Common Sense Red Deer, we’ll be watching the adjustments closely and keeping you informed.
As we prepare, your support is crucial.
If you can spare $5, $10, or even $25 toward our efforts, please click here to make a donation.
Your support will power our advocacy efforts and fuel our fight to ensure Council stays focused on core priorities.
Together, we can ensure that Red Deer does not follow in the troubling footsteps set by other cities.
Let’s continue to make our voices heard, demand answers, and fight for a better, more transparent City.
Regards,
-The Common Sense Red Deer Team
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Just when we thought our smiles couldn’t get any bigger – they did! And we have the Red Deer community to thank for their overwhelming support.
We are so excited to share the total from the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign this past spring…and it’s very impressive. In fact, it’s an all-time record, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Over the long-week campaign held April 28-May 4, Red Deerians indulged in a lot of cookies – $80,773 worth! These funds will go directly to helping struggling readers become readers of potential through Reading College, a project of The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools.
Reading College, held each July, provides students with identified reading gaps an incredible summer experience that builds their skills, confidence, and love for reading. Students leave the program with stronger reading and writing abilities, and a solid foundation for success in school and life. Now in its 14th year, 1,000 students have graduated from Reading College.
“We continue to be amazed by the generosity of our community and the partnership with Tim Hortons,” said Kristine Plastow, Board Chair for The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools. “These dollars directly impact kids who need extra support to become confident readers. The difference this program makes is life-changing.”
Tanya Doucette, Tim Hortons Restaurant Owner in Red Deer, said it’s incredible to see what can happen when a community comes together. The simple act of purchasing a cookie by so many amazing guests, makes a huge difference for young students right here in Red Deer.
“This record-breaking year shows how much our guests care. We are so pleased to support Reading College and help give students the tools they need to thrive,” she said.
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