Red Deer council approves $79.61 million 2027 capital budget
After four hours of debate, Red Deer city council trimmed the budget by delaying a planned roundabout at 67th Street and Taylor Drive until 2028.
Why it matters
The approved budget determines which road, drainage and park projects move forward in Red Deer next year, while delaying a planned roundabout.
Red Deer city council unanimously approved an amended 2027 Capital Budget totalling $79.61 million, following roughly four hours of deliberation. The approved budget includes $57.7 million in tax-supported capital requests, $19.7 million for fleet replacement, and $2.079 million for landbank projects.
Councillor Dianne Wyntjes brought forward an amendment, prompted by citizen concerns, to delay detailed design work for a roundabout at 67th Street and Taylor Drive until 2028, removing a $629,000 request from the 2027 budget. The full roundabout project was estimated at $9.2 million.
Major approved investments include $7.19 million for road maintenance and rehabilitation, $7.47 million for stormwater infrastructure upgrades, $4.67 million for bridge and culvert work including the Gaetz Creek culvert on 55 Street, and $16.88 million for fleet replacement covering about 50 vehicles, including four ambulances and an aerial pumper truck. Council also approved $2.57 million to restore Centennial Plaza Park, closed since 2016, and $909,500 to replace the city's website.
Council directed administration to prioritize sponsorship funding for replacing the Kin Kanyon rocket ship playground, slated for 2027, and to explore skateboard park expansion for the 2028 plan. The city received 46 written citizen responses after publishing the capital budget book on September 24. Council also received, in principle, a 2028–2037 Fleet Capital Plan totalling $290.27 million and a 2028–2037 Tax-Supported Capital Plan totalling $1.18 billion.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.