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