Red Deer County council approved the 2022-2024 Operating and 2022-2026 Capital Budgets on Dec. 14 that highlight strategic priorities for the next three years.
Mayor Wood expressed his gratitude to staff and council for their hard work in “getting to this point – waiting to rebound from the pandemic; recognizing this is a good budget that supports great investments such as the broadband project which makes our County better!
He added “this is a conservative budget that keeps our taxes down and does not compromise on our service levels.”
Key highlights of the budget include: Rural Broadband Initiative – $5M; Bridge Repairs – $4.2M; Paving Program – $3.7M; Small Roads Program – $3M; Junction 42 Road Infrastructure – $1.2M; Fire Vehicle/apparatus Replacements – $1.1M and Trails – $1M.
Heather Surkan, Director of Corporate Services remarked that “land sales are projected to increase in the coming years which has been reflected in this budget term.”
She continued that “administration is cautiously optimistic that the County will benefit from rising oil and gas prices coupled with increased development.”
Council may decide to make changes to the budget in the spring if necessary.
Submitted
