Regina City Budget: Mill rate lowered to 7.33 per cent

Regina City Council voted to lower the proposed mill rate from the near decade-high 8.5 per cent down to 7.33 per cent.

It also approved the 5.82 per cent utility rate increase.

Between those two rate increases and the library levy, the City of Regina says the average household could be on the hook for an extra $26.41 per month.

Ever since it was introduced, nearly every member of the council has spoken about the need to lower the mill rate since many Regina residents are dealing with increased costs of living.

Mayor Chad Bachynski said council prioritized low mill rate increases across the board, from city operations to its partners, but now that the final number is here, it’s 0n the city to put it to good use.

“Our job is to make sure that we’re getting the roads fixed, that we’re putting the money that we put forward to actually execute on all that work so residents can see the value of what they’re getting from what we just approved,” Bachynski said after Thursday’s meeting.

Numerous councillors had different ideas of how to achieve this, causing friction at times throughout deliberations, but nearly all of them reiterated the need to provide relief for their constituents.

“There was lots of good, passionate conversation,” he said. “Everybody cares deeply about making sure that we try to get to the right number and that’s what I saw through the process.”

The general operating and capital budget was approved 9-2 with councillors (Ward 1) Dan Rashovich and (Ward 8) Shanon Zachidniak voting against it.

Bachynski said this year’s funding will enable expanded hours for construction which was an issue he campaigned on.

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City administration said the city has been playing catch-up on years of deliberately trying to keep the mill rate low, but with increased inflationary pressures, it cannot afford to do so without residents experiencing service costs.

(City of Regina)

At the time, the combined mill rate and utility increase would have cost property owners an average of about $320 extra per year or $17 per month.

The approved general operating and capital budget comes with a reduced amount in gross expenditures (around $653.8 million to $650.1 million)  and total property tax levy($334.4 million to $330 million).

‘We’re not DOGE’

Council started off day four of budget deliberations by re-considering the last thing it chose to do on Day Three, which was the decision to reduce city staff operating levels to realize savings of a 0.5 per cent mill rate increase (or $1.5 million) by the end of 2025.

Bachynski amended the motion to be less “prescriptive” in its language and to change the amount to $1.55 million.

It was reworded to direct administration to “reduce expenditures” by that amount and also included a new provision for a report to be brought back to executive committee at its April 30 meeting.

“It can be staffing or otherwise, but it just opens up to not be specifically or exclusively staffing in terms of those savings,” Bachynski said while outlining the amendment.

Ward 3 Coun. David Froh, who recused himself from yesterday’s vote, criticized the initial decision to cut city staff.

“This is not DOGE or Tesla. This is a public service with real people, with real families, and they do really good work,” he said.

Ward 6 Coun. Victoria Flores said it would be more impactful to have savings that are more thought-out and data-driven.

City manager Niki Anderson said city administration was put into a similar position two years ago by the previous council.

“Our approach as people-centred leaders is that we always look at the least impactful ways to reduce that don’t impact our residents and don’t impact our staff,” she said.

Bachynski hoped the amended motion would provide more flexibility and peace of mind for staff.

Mayor Chad Bachynski said the new budget will help to enable a faster construction season. March 20, 2025. (Daniel Reech/980 CME)

Police budget passes

Council voted to approve the Regina Police Service’s budget, which RPS submitted at $122.5 million — an $800,000 reduction from what was originally proposed.

Although it was the largest component of the revised mill rate, Coun. Zachidniak was the only member of council to vote against the approval.

“We talk about having concerns with spending and efficient use of taxpayers’ dollars. I’ve consistently heard from residents that the rising costs to the police budget are unsustainable and that’s where we should be looking for efficiencies,” Zachidniak said.

Zachidniak also praised the steps that RPS took to lower its own budget.

“I appreciate the direction that they’re going in. My stance is that more needs to be done,” she said. “Supporting public safety does not mean giving a blank check. It means making sure our taxpayer dollars are used wisely and prioritizing investments that serve the whole community effectively.”

Council also approved a nearly one per cent mill rate increase for Regina Public Library and its Central Branch renewal project.

Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) will receive $11.2 million in funding, the Provincial Capital Commission will receive $2.7 million and Economic Development Regina will receive $2.1 million.