Evan Bray: Rain, rain don't go away - but come again another day
Evan Bray says his grandfather was a farmer who always told him to never complain about the rain. However, the much-need...
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.
Read more:
- ‘Take the math seriously’: Regina City Council approves final budget, nearly 11% tax hike
- City of Regina reserves could be further depleted by 2025 deficit
- Economic growth, challenging budget reviewed by Regina’s mayor in annual address
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.
Ward 4’s Mark Burton asked how much procurement happens from the United States. May replied that some procurement is bound by trade treaties, but said he would reply with a figure.
May also said there is no expected impact on the budget projections from the tariffs and counter-tariffs announced by the U.S. and Canada. He added some volatility was expected, but not necessarily built in to the documents.
Ward 1’s Dan Rashovich asked about double-digit transit increases in each of the last three years. Doney explained service has been increasing as part of the city’s transit master plan.
Rashovich said he’s worried how tax increases affect homeowners in his ward based on property values there.
Shanon Zachidniak, councillor for Ward 8, noted the police service is expected to get the largest chunk of spending out of property tax revenue, and contrasted that to cuts being proposed to road markings.
“We see our partners who are still putting together their budgets. I hope they are very careful this year,” she said.
Ward 7 Councillor Shobna Radons said spending cuts also impact city employees and their professional development, pointing out that employee engagement is below the benchmark for the public service.
Acting city manager Jim Nicol said significant improvement was seen in the 2026 engagement survey, which is expected to be presented to council soon.
“We are on the right track. We’re very proud of how we’ve advanced in the last year and a half or so,” he said.
But Radons said it’s those employees who face the blowback from council decisions.
“They are always expected to do more with less,” she said.
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.
At that meeting, the administration will provide answers to several questions asked by councillors that couldn’t be answered immediately.
Mayor Chad Bachynski was not made available for questions from reporters after the meeting. His staff said he will speak to the media once the series of information meetings has been completed.
