Regina city budget proposes biggest tax increase in 10 years

The average Regina taxpayer could face an increase of as much as $320 a year if council approves administration’s proposed budget.

The 8.5 per cent increase included in the draft budget would be three times higher than last year’s increase and the biggest the Queen City has seen in at least a decade.

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It would mean about $204 a year – or $17 more a month – in additional taxes for the average homeowner, but when coupled with the proposed utility rate increase of 5.82 per cent, which works out to a further $116 per year or $10 a month, it means the average taxpayer could be shelling out $320 more a year.

Figures from the Feb. 5 executive committee agenda. (City of Regina)

The biggest asks in the proposed mill rate increase come from Regina Police Service (2.25 per cent), and the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (2.21 per cent). In dollar figures, that amounts to approximately $6.98 million and $6.85 million respectively.

Only 0.07 of the 2025 proposed budget comes from initiatives directed by the new council, and 1.9 per cent of the preliminary mill rate comes from city administration to support civic operations.

“Recent years have seen remarkably high inflation – particularly in industries that greatly affect municipal operations, such as construction services and materials,” read the meeting report.

“Regina is increasing in size and complexity. In order to serve residents, Administration must continue to expand its operations, while maintaining service levels. This expansion cannot occur without an increase in funding, which is rendered further necessary by the rising costs of goods and services seen in all sectors,” read a report going into the executive committee meeting on Wednesday.

“The preliminary mill rate increase is higher than those historically proposed by Administration. Past budgets prioritized maintaining low mill rate increases over fully covering the cost of civic operations, and relied on other revenue streams (such as investment income) that are no longer available. That approach is no longer sustainable or responsible.”

The draft budget, which has not yet been approved by council, will first be debated at the executive committee level before facing public scrutiny at a council meetings expected to run until mid-March.

Regina Public Library is seeking small increase to cover operating costs, that the library said would cost the average homeowner about 80 cents a month, or $9.60 a year. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

Regina Public Library seeking small increase