Red Deer city council approves utilities budget
Published 3:00 pm Tuesday, September 29, 2026
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Red Deer city council has approved the 2027 Utilities Budget.
The budget that includes $193.6 million in total revenues covers the cost of operating, maintaining and investing in electricity, wastewater, water and garbage collection systems.
“Utility services are fundamental to our quality of life and something every resident and business depends on every day,” said Mayor Cindy Jefferies in a statement following council’s unanimous support for the budget.
“While most people rarely think about the infrastructure behind these services, the systems that deliver water, electricity and waste management represent significant community assets. Council’s decision reflects the importance of maintaining and renewing that infrastructure today so future residents can continue to depend on the same reliable service we expect today.”
The approved budget supports utility systems that include approximately 650 kilometres of water and 520 kilometres of wastewater lines and other infrastructure.
The city treats 55.5 million litres of wastewater daily and in 2025 there were more than 23,000 tests conducted to ensure standards were met. On the electricity front, there are 2,500 kilometres of overhead and underground power lines, connecting to more than 46,000 sites and using 5,000 power poles.
Anticipated 2027 electric utility revenues are $85.6 million, $44 million for water, $44.8 million in waste water and $19 million for waste management.
City chief financial officer Sam Mugford said the budget “reflects a continued focus on reliability, sustainability and responsible infrastructure stewardship. These investments help ensure utility services remain dependable today while preparing our systems for future needs.”
The budget calls for $25.3 million in borrowing, including $12.5 million for water and $12.8 million for wastewater infrastructure. About $6 million in principal will be paid off next year.
Mugford told council that debt financing allows costs to spread over the lifetime of an asset and helps ensure those who are benefitting from the infrastructure are contributing to its cost.
Council’s approval of the Utilities Budget does not establish utility rates. Those will be set when council reviews the Utility Rate Bylaw this fall.
Next up for council will be debating the $80.2 million capital budget on Oct. 13. It is available for review on the city at reddeer.ca/budget.
The operating budget will be available to the public on Nov. 5 with council’s budget debate taking place Nov. 23-27.