The budget prioritizes investments to achieve significant community outcomes to help make Regina a more vibrant community, improve safety and well-being for residents, and drive economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.
The City continues to find savings and operational efficiencies to minimize the impact to residents resulting from inflation and other economic pressures.
View the Proposed 2024 Budget Report
The 2024 Budget Advances…
Community safety, economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, vibrant community and operational excellence.
The desired outcome of this strategic priority is a healthier and more inclusive community. The City will achieve this by advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility through programs, initiatives and policies; advancing affordable and social housing in Regina, and working with partners and the community to improve safety and well-being of all residents.
The 2024 Budget includes:
- $1 million for Emergency Shelters
- $48.2 million for Regina Fire & Protective Services
- $31,500 plus capital for Wascana Pool Accessible Waterslide
- $115.6 million for Regina Police Services
- $1.01 million capital investment in the YWCA to complete the new building
- A 0.03% mill rate increase to support cold weather strategy initiatives through the Community Investment Grant Program
The City is focused on advancing economic growth opportunities for Regina and area, which includes promoting initiatives from Regina’s 2030 Economic Growth Plan, promoting Regina as a leading destination for visitors, talent, businesses and investment, and building infrastructure for long-term economic growth.
Capital Fund Highlight:
The proposed five-year capital budget outlines investments to renew street and underground infrastructure in the downtown area. These include Scarth Street, 11th Avenue, and Dewdney Avenue and Saskatchewan Drive corridors; projects that will beautify streetscapes, transform transportation networks and improve pedestrian safety.
The 2024 Budget includes:
- $13.6 million for street infrastructure renewal – major roads
- $16.6 million for residential road renewal
- $300,000 for Economic Development Regina initiatives
The City is committed to achieve net-zero emissions and become 100 per cent renewable by 2050. This includes leading by example with municipal operations and working with partners and the community to implement the Energy & Sustainability Framework approved in 2022.
The 2024 Budget includes:
- $150,000 for the Urban Forest Master Plan
- $200,000 for Climate Adaptation Plan
- $40,000 for Pesticide Education Strategy
- $1.1 million dedicated toward Geothermal Heating Facility (of $28.5m over 5 yr plan)
The City’s priority is to make Regina’s city centre a great place to work, live and visit. This includes planning for the future of Regina, building recreational and cultural infrastructure, providing and encouraging year-round programs and services, and improving our transportation network.
Capital Fund Highlight:
An additional $17.1 million will be available by 2024 to advance the Recreation and Culture Master Plans through the dedicated 0.5% mill rate for recreation infrastructure and annual $3 million contribution to the Recreation/Culture Capital Program.
The 2024 Budget includes:
- $8.6 million dedicated toward future Indoor Aquatic Facility
- $2.5 million for replacement of the North East Community Centre
- $188,000 for Growth Plan update
- $100,000 for inclusion initiatives
- $460,000 for enhanced Transit services in line with Transit Master Plan
The City is transforming into a culture focused on service and performance. This transformation aims to build resident trust by continuously improving service delivery, strengthening workplace culture, achieving long-term financial sustainability, making decisions based on data and strategic alignment, and ultimately achieving Mission Zero.
The 2024 Budget includes:
- $840,000 for Procurement Software System
- $300,000 for Work and Asset Management System
- $412,000 for Customer Relationship Management Software
Utility Fund Highlight
The 2024 Budget includes $106 million in 2024 for infrastructure renewal, new construction, and maintenance of Regina’s water, wastewater and stormwater systems. Regina’s Water Utility operates on a full cost-recovery basis and ensures Regina residents enjoy safe and reliable water, wastewater and drainage services. In 2024, utility customers will see a 3% increase to the base utility rate and 4% on the consumption-based utility rate.
Changes to Utility Bill
In 2022, City Council approved a new approach to funding waste services such as garbage, recycling, food and yard waste collection. These services will now be funded by a user fee on the utility bill, meaning garbage collection will no longer be funded by property taxes. This portion of the mill rate will be removed from property taxes and customers will see this new Waste Charge beginning January 1, 2024
Understanding Your Taxes
The City of Regina provides more than 60 services that residents depend on every day; approximately 55% is funded through property taxes. In 2024, residents will see a 2.85% mill rate increase.
Mill Rate Increase Breakdown
| Civic Operations |
3.18% |
|
Recreational Infrastructure Dedicated Mill Rate |
0.5% |
| Police Operations | 1.6% |
|
Eastern Pressure Solution Dedicated Mill Rate |
0.63% |
|
Community Investment Grant Program - Cold Weather Strategy |
0.03% |
|
Mill Rate Increase before Garbage Collection Reduction |
5.94% |
|
Garbage Collection Reduction |
(3.09)% |
|
Total Mill Rate Increase |
2.85% |
Impact of 2024 Budget by Assessed House Value
The table below describes the monthly and annual impact of the 2024 budget, based on sample household values. These impacts include the 2.85% mill rate increase to property taxes, the water rate increases (3 per cent on base utility rates, and 4 per cent on the consumption rates) and the waste charges resulting from the Food & Yard Waste Program.
The Waste Charge on the Water & Waste Bill represents the complete cost of garbage, recycling, food and yard waste collection services. Note that the charge includes garbage collection which is no longer funded by property taxes.
|
Examples |
|||||
|
Assessed Value |
$100,000 | $315,000 | $500,000 | $700,000 | $900,000 |
| Mill Rate Increase | $1.77 | $5.57 | $8.84 | $12.38 | $15.91 |
| Utility Rate Increase | $5.70 | $5.70 | $5.70 | $5.70 | $5.70 |
| Food & Yard Waste Program | $8.52 | $8.52 | $8.52 | $8.52 | $8.52 |
| Total Monthly Increase per Household | $15.99 | $19.79 | $23.06 | $26.60 | $30.13 |
| Assessed Value | $100,000 | $315,000 | $500,000 | $700,000 | $900,000 |
| Mill Rate Increase | $21.22 | $66.84 | $106.10 | $148.53 | $190.97 |
| Utility Rate Increase | $68.40 | $68.40 | $68.40 | $68.40 | $68.40 |
| Food & Yard Waste Program | $102.24 | $102.24 | $102.24 | $102.24 | $102.24 |
| Total Annual Increase per Household | $191.86 | $237.48 | $276.74 | $319.17 | $361.61 |
View the breakdown of the budget by numbers.
By the Numbers:
- $1.52 billion - investment in infrastructure renewal over the next five years through both the General and Utility Funds
- $882 million - for General Fund capital projects
- $637 million - for Utility Fund capital projects
- 2.85 per cent – the mill rate increases in 2024, which consists of:
- 3.18 per cent for civic operations
- 0.5% dedicated mill rate for the Recreation Infrastructure Program
- 1.6% for the Regina Police Service (RPS)
- 0.63% dedicated mill rate for the eastern Pressure Solution - Second Tank
- 0.03 for the Community Investment Grant Program - Cold Weather Strategy
- 3.09% reduction as a result of moving garbage collection to fee funded on the Water & Waste Bill
- $5.57/month - the added amount an average homeowner with a home assessed at $315,000 will pay for the proposed mill rate increases
- 3.0% Base Utility rate increase and 4.0% Utility Consumption rate increase.
- $14.22/month - the added amount an average Regina household of four will pay on the utility bill including the NEW food and yard waste charge
- $579 million - projected General Operating Revenue/Expenditures for 2024; an increase of $40 million or 7.4% from the 2023 Budget
- 55% - the portion of total revenue the City projects to raise from property taxes
Find common questions and answers about the budget.
What changes to City staffing are in the 2024 Budget?
City staffing increases included in this budget are 17.6 FTE positions in 2024.
What is the City spending to advance Strategic Priorities?
Key capital and operational investments (more than $84 million) are proposed to support the City’s five strategic priorities - Economic Prosperity, Environmental Sustainability, Community Safety & Well-being, Vibrant Community, Operational Excellence. Some of these include:
- $17.2 million for facility upgrades to support City bus electrification
- $2.5 million for facility upgrades to advance the Renewable Regina 2050 goal
- $0.8 million for a light-duty vehicle electric charging station
What is the City spending on capital projects in the 2024 Budget?
The City’s five-year general fund capital plan totals $882 million between 2024 and 2028, with $137 million in 2024.
What has been saved through the Efficiency Review so far?
The total financial benefits realized through the formal Efficiency Review are approximately $9.0 million. In addition, since March 2023, City Administration has identified other internal efficiencies to realize financial benefits and right-size budget of approximately $5.5 million.
Why are water rates increasing again this year?
Water rates are increasing to help maintain the Utility operations and fund the renewal of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant.
