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Councillors were told Tuesday that keeping the budget affordable while balancing short and long-term needs will be the challenge facing Regina City Council in this year’s deliberations.
The goal facing council members is to keep any property tax increase at no more than 5.81 per cent, which would mean an annual increase of $162.45 for an average home.
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Acting Chief Financial Officer Jeff May said there are some question marks going into this process, including collective bargaining, fuel costs, and funding requests from service partners like Regina Police Service and the Provincial Capital Commission.
The report says most residential property tax revenue comes from homes assessed at between $200,000 and $499,999.
Overall, houses and condos account for 59 per cent of tax revenue. Apartments make up another 7 per cent, while commercial properties make up 34 per cent.
Forecast shows another $30 million needed
A forecast prepared by the administration breaks down how much property tax revenue each service needs, and the total comes to $30.3 million more than in 2026 once revenue increases are factored in.
A significant line item is “Corporate Level Transactions,” which is forecasted to need an additional $11.1 million.
This includes $6.7 million more for the Indoor Aquatic Facility, but that is already accounted for in a dedicated tax increase. Meanwhile, a $5 million increase is expected to go to capital funding.
An extra $4 million in corporate revenue offsets the total.
Aside from that category, the biggest increases are $5.6 million for the Regina Police Service (RPS), $5.1 million for transit, and $3.3 million for fire services.
However, RPS has not yet submitted its funding request, so that number is only an estimate.
For transit, salaries are expected to increase by only $800,000, with no change in staffing levels. The largest factor in the budget is a $7.3 million increase in the amount being put into transit reserves, money that will be needed to replace buses in the future.
The report warns “major commercial development in Westerra” will require more service, while goods and supplies are getting more expensive.
Fire services staffing is expected to increase by only one, but total salaries will be $4.8 million higher.
The report cites inflation and rising equipment and maintenance costs, along with continued growth, as factors.
Winter road maintenance will need another $400,000. Much of that is due to implementing the city’s accessibility plan, which calls for more sidewalks to be cleared in high-pedestrian areas.
Council members want more detailed information
Ward 5 councillor Sarah Turnbull asked for a more detailed breakdown on how Regina compares with other cities per department. In particular, she wanted to see how changes to management structures compare with similar communities.
Victoria Flores, the councillor for Ward 6, suggested the only places to find cuts will be from core city services – the same services members of the public cite as priorities.
“We spend our money on the basics, and that’s the story I’m seeing here,” she said. “I don’t know of any residents who want to see any further reductions.”
She argued that last year’s cuts had repercussions the public noticed.
The next informational meeting on the budget is set for Sept. 8 and will outline potential service enhancements.
Budget deliberations are set to begin Dec. 7, after a proposed budget is released in November.
