Rider rent, mill rate increase for water up for talks at city council

Regina’s new city council is expected to make final decisions on several early budget items and consider reducing the rent on Mosaic Stadium owed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If approved, council would retroactively reduce $1.33 million of the $3.6 million accounts receivable by the Riders for 2020 and 2021 –  which was cancelled fully in 2020 and partially in 2021 –  once a $2.2 million payment from the Riders is received.

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During last week’s executive committee, council unanimously approved several items, including advanced approval for the 2025 budget.

This included $92.4 million for 2025/26 capital fund projects, $131.7 million for utility fund capital projects and $5.6 million from the general operating fund that would go to an operating and maintenance review of Mosaic Stadium.

The general fund would provide money to projects like the multi-year 11th Avenue revitalization, Vision Zero safety plan, civic vehicle replacement and multiple different initiatives for the Regina Police Service.

Projects covered by the utility fund include storm sewer renewal, wastewater capacity upgrades, the Al Ritchie Drainage Improvement Project, water infrastructure renewal and the water network expansion.

As for the water network expansion itself, council is set to discuss a 1.39 per cent mill rate increase to fund the principal and interest payments tied to $100 million in long-term debt taken on in 2024 to pay for the project. The project is meant to accommodate the city’s continued growth and maintain “acceptable” service as the city’s water distribution network expands.

Council voted unanimously in favour of the measure at last week’s meeting.

Flag policy

Council is also slated to discuss a tabled motion from the fall regarding the city’s flag-raising policy.

The matter was first brought to council after controversy arose when the Israeli flag was raised outside of city hall in May. In November, former Mayor Sandra Masters cancelled an event that would have raised the Palestinian flag, sparking a protest.

City clerk Jim Nicol recommended that the only flags to be flown outside City Hall should be the flags of Canada, Saskatchewan, the Union Jack, the City of Regina, Treaty 4 and the Métis Nation – with the exceptions of approved non-profits, upon request.

Nicol said that policy would be the best approach to avoid future controversy.

Council is set to meet at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.