First look at Regina’s 2027 budget suggests a handful of cuts needed to reach tax target

A first look at the City of Regina’s financial situation for 2027 suggests a relatively straightforward path to hold a potential property tax increase to the target set by council.

The 2027 preliminary forecast is being presented at a special meeting of City Council on Tuesday, showing an overview of expected increases to both operating expenses and revenues.

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It shows expenses expected to increase by $44.7 million just to maintain the status quo – equivalent to a tax rate increase of 11.9 per cent.

But that’s partly offset by an increase in revenues of $17.7 million, nearly half of that coming from increased property tax revenue. That alone would reduce the tax hike to 7.01 per cent.

That’s still above the 5.81 per cent maximum increase that would keep Regina in the lowest 25 per cent of taxes among comparable Canadian cities, a non-binding strategic imperative set by council.

To get the tax increase down to 5.81 per cent, administration is recommending putting less money into the re-established Transit Fleet Reserve and making a handful of cuts.

Those recommended cuts include less dust suppression, less frequent line painting, eliminating towing during spring street sweeping and delaying the implementation of the city’s outdoor washroom strategy.

Last year, councillors were presented with a report showing a 15.69 per cent tax hike would be needed without making any cuts. Council reduced that figure to 10.9 per cent during a week of meetings in December.

One of those cuts re-categorized dozens of parks, reducing the amount of maintenance and prompting a number of complaints this summer.

“We had to be very frank and transparent about what service looks like in the city and how many services that we do deliver, and so we will continue to iterate on that process as well,” Mayor Chad Bachynski said last week. “And this year will be another version of that.”

This is the first of five information meetings related to the city budget. On August 25, administration will present its preliminary forecast by service, followed by potential enhancements on Sept. 8.

The general capital budget forecast will be presented Sept. 22, with the utility budgets coming on Oct. 6.

A final draft budget will be published Nov. 5, and council will deliberate on a final budget the week of Dec. 8.