Regina City Budget Released
Regina City Council has approved a 2024 mill rate increase of 2.85 per cent.
The 2024 Budget includes strategic investments to make Regina a more vibrant community, improve safety and well-being for residents, and advance important capital projects across the City.
“The City of Regina’s Council-approved 2024 Budget delivers a balance between financial pressures facing municipalities across the country, and affordability for Regina taxpayers,” said Niki Anderson, City Manager.
The five-year general capital plan includes approximately $137 million in 2024, with an overall planned investment of approximately $745 million between 2024 and 2028. To achieve a 2.85 per cent mill rate increase, certain trade-offs have been made, leading to the deferral of some capital investments. However, the following projects are set to move forward in 2024, ensuring the continued commitment to the City’s growth:
• Dewdney Avenue Corridor Rehabilitation
• Facility Upgrades to Support Bus Electrification
• New Indoor Aquatic Facility and Lawson Replacement
• North East Community Centre
• Community Space in Schools
• South East Fire Station (#8)
During budget deliberations, Council approved a $1.01 million capital investment in the YWCA to help complete the new building project. Council also approved a 0.03 per cent mill rate increase to support cold weather strategy initiatives through the Community Investment Grant Program.
The water rate increase for 2024 is 3 per cent on the base utility rates, and 4 per cent on the consumption-based utility rates. This maintains the utility, and funds the renewal of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant. In 2022, Council approved a user pay model for all curbside services including garbage, recycling and food and yard waste collection. Starting on January 1, 2024, all three services (garbage, recycling, and food and yard waste) will be charged on the Water and Waste bill, and garbage collection will no longer be funded by property taxes as identified through the 3.09 per cent reduction to the mill rate.
The City continues to find savings and operational efficiencies to minimize the impact on residents caused by inflation and other economic pressures. Over $14.5 million in cost savings have been identified since 2021.
The average homeowner with a property assessed at $315,000 will experience an increase of $19.79 per month between their property tax ($5.57), utility rate ($5.70) and waste services costs ($8.52).
Visit regina.ca/budget to learn more about the 2024 Budget.
