Regina city council begins budget discussions, forecasting 15.69% mill rate increase

Regina’s city council will debate its next two-year budget, hearing from as many as 84 delegates as it projects a mill rate increase of 15.69 per cent.

This week, Regina’s city council will be debating its next two-year budget, while hearing from as many as 84 delegates, as it projects a mill rate increase of 15.69 per cent and potential grant cuts.

The city is finalizing its two year budget in an attempt to streamline the process in 2027. Budget deliberations are scheduled from Dec. 15-19. Here’s what we know so far:

Potential mill rate increase

The city’s forecasted revenue for next year is $636 million. However, expenses to continue city services at residents’ desired levels, plus what priorities council has outlined, is projected to cost $687 million.

In effort to close the funding gap of roughly $51 million, city administration has forecast a mill rate increase of 15.69 per cent. If council chooses to reduce the projected mill rate, it would have to decide on potentially cutting back some of the 60 different services the city provides.

“That’s been the whole idea around this process is that we want to be upfront as to what it cost to run the city,” Mayor Chad Bachynski told CTV News. “That’s where this particular process is. It’s set up in a way where there’s no proposed budget necessarily. We’re saying this is the forecast as to what it takes to maintain status quo.”

City expenses related to property taxes would rise $33/month or $369/year for the average Regina household valued at $300,000.

The operating budget goes towards road maintenance, infrastructure projects, garbage services and more.

Utility impact on residents

A utility rate increase of 7.82 per cent is forecasted to maintain the city’s water services, which include wastewater and storm drainage. The utility rate increase is in addition to the city’s mill rate.

The rise in utility bills could see the average Regina resident pay an additional $14/month or $168/year.

In total, with the forecasted mill rate increase, city expenses could increase $47/month or $537/year.

If approved by council next month, 15.69 per cent would be the largest mill rate increase in more than a decade and more than double the 7.3 per cent increase it approved for 2025.

Public safety, police expenses

During the weeklong budget deliberations, the city will approve its service partner funding requests from organizations like the Regina Police Service (RPS), which is requesting a budget increase of $6.5 million.

RPS stated the rise in funding is to cover an additional 11 staff positions that are needed to continue investing in community safety and the well-being of residents. Additionally, the increase will cover the cost of contracted services, insurance and legal services, as well as equipment upgrades.

In 2024, the service requested less than $7 million in funding increases, which was further reduced and approved by council to $6.2 million instead.

Various delegations on the meeting agenda will address public safety. One of them, Creative City Centre, is requesting council “redirect” a portion of its proposed mill rate increase towards a grant program to address the city’s homelessness population.

“We believe that adequately funding these organizations will dramatically increase the programs and services that are available to our community and will result in a corresponding decrease in crime rates, addiction issues and homelessness,” read a statement from the non-profit organization.

There are close to 10 other delegates scheduled to speak on those who are unhoused in Regina.

REAL, central library and other facilities

Other service partner funding requests the city is responsible for include the Regina Exhibition Association Ltd. (REAL) and the Regina Public Library.

REAL, along with Economic Development Regina and the Provincial Capital Commission, have each requested status quo funding.

The Regina Public Library, however, has brought forward a 9.35 per cent library-dedicated mill rate increase, which amounts to less than one per cent of the general mill rate.

Groups share their concerns

Several city services and organizations have already shared their concerns about potential funding cuts, based on the city’s budget forecast.

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 588 Regina delivered a strike mandate last week, in response to proposed service reductions.

The Regina Floral Conservatory also expressed its concerns through a post on social media, stating the greenhouse provides an educational opportunity to youth across the city.

According to acting city manager Jim Nicol, the city is not required to act on any of the 139 cuts outlined within the budget forecast documents.

City council will begin deliberating on Monday, Dec. 15, at 9 a.m.

Council is expected to approve and finalize all budget items by Friday.

-With files from Donovan Maess.