Red Deer City Council has completed the final legislative steps required to disestablish the Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA), following second and third readings of the disestablishment bylaw at today’s regular meeting.
This follows the March 2026 vote in which a majority of eligible downtown business taxpayers voted in favour of disestablishment. In accordance with the Municipal Government Act and the Business Improvement Area Regulation, The City is proceeding with the required legislative process. The official disestablishment date is May 27, 2026.
At the same meeting, Council also approved the 2026 BIA tax rate bylaw. While no BIA tax levy will be collected in 2026, the bylaw is still required because the BIA remains in place for part of the year.
“As directed by the taxpayer vote and required under provincial legislation, Council has now completed the final bylaw steps to disestablish the Downtown Business Improvement Area,” said Mayor Cindy Jefferies. “Our focus remains on following the legislated process, maintaining continuity during the transition, and continuing to work with businesses and the community on the future of downtown governance.”
In 2026, BIA taxpayers will still receive a tax notice showing a $0.00 balance. This is because The City is legally required to issue tax notices within legislated timelines while the BIA still formally exists. Although there is no tax levy being collected this year, notices must still be issued to all BIA taxpayers until the disestablishment takes effect.
During this transition, The City is continuing essential services, support for downtown public spaces, and support for downtown events. City staff continue to provide downtown cleaning and other service support to help keep downtown clean, safe, and welcoming.
Future governance work will continue through a downtown-focused Committee of Council, which will help guide ongoing discussions about businesses, public spaces, events and long-term revitalization in Greater Downtown.
More information and the latest updates are available at reddeer.ca/downtownbusiness, and downtown service contacts can be found at reddeer.ca/downtowncontacts.