Tax dollar breakdown

Breaking down your tax dollar

The City of Red Deer collects taxes on behalf of the province for education and Bridges Community Living. Based off the budget for 2024, the following is the estimated breakdown of where your tax dollars go:

  • Municipal portion: 77.59%
  • Education: 21.49%
  • Bridges Community (SRS Affordable Housing and Design Industrial Property): 0.47%

The following is how the municipal portion of your tax dollar would be spent, using the approved 2024 budget:

27%

Municipal Police & RCMP

What you get for your tax dollar

Red Deer RCMP and Municipal Policing Services work to preserve public safety for Red Deerians through community-based policing initiatives and bylaw enforcement.

21%

Emergency Services

What you get for your tax dollar

Red Deer Emergency Services ensures residents have high quality emergency fire, advanced life support, rescue and hazardous material services, as well as the knowledge to safeguard themselves from fire and injury. Red Deer also provides a regional 9-1-1 call centre.

12%

Recreation & Community

What you get for your tax dollar

Through our recreation centres, amenities and programs, along with a variety of community and social well-being and support programs, the lives of Red Deerians are enhanced.

10%

Roads & Maintenance

What you get for your tax dollar

City crews maintain hundreds of kilometers of roads and sidewalks in all seasons through snow and ice control, street sweeping, bridge and road maintenance and construction projects.

10%

Parks

What you get for your tax dollar

Known as a city in a park, residents and visitors alike enjoy the vast parks and trails that our City crews maintain.

9%

Transit & Fleet

What you get for your tax dollar

Operating both Conventional Bus service and the Action Bus, Transit ensures Red Deerians have transportation options in the community. Fleet Services is responsible for purchasing, managing and maintaining all City vehicles and equipment.

6%

City Planning & Growth

What you get for your tax dollar

The City focuses on land use planning, community growth to create vibrant neighborhoods. We also city supports local tourism, the regional airport, downtown businesses, and overall economic development to create a thriving and sustainable Red Deer.

3%

City Administration

What you get for your tax dollar

The City has many people working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly – everything from HR and finance to IT and communications. Long-term debt payments are also reflected here.

2%

Streetlights, Utilities & Storm Water

What you get for your tax dollar

For the most part, utility services like electricity, water, wastewater and waste are funded through utility charges, not taxes. However, some tax dollars are used to maintain the infrastructure.