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City of Red Deer

Council boosting budget for Downtown Business Association

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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.

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

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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%
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City of Red Deer

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

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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.

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