Other City of Red Deer 2019 operating budget-related approvals:
* City council supported two one-time additions of $130,000 (in 2019 and 2020) to provide help to city cultural groups that have been struggling with fundraising in this rough economy and with so much focus on the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
Coun. Buck Buchanan said it likely wasn’t enough, but is a good start.
* At this time of rising anti-immigrant sentiment, city council opted to send a message and throw a $8,000 welcome party for newcomers.
Coun. Tanya Handley said she attended a previous New Red Deerians Welcome Event and was touched by how much it mean to immigrants — some said they could never mingle with elected officials in their countries of origin.
* Also, $200,000 will again be spent on cleaning up rough sleeper camps and needle debris to shore up public safety.
Mayor Tara Veer stressed this is no long-term solution. She’s still waiting for the province to step up and provide a 24/7 warming shelter for local homeless people and open a drug treatment centre in Red Deer.