We continue to make careful choices to provide the services residents depend on, to invest in infrastructure and to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on residents.
Through our pre-budget consultation, we heard what is important to residents - better roads, public safety, community well-being and recreation. The 2022 Budget reflects this.
Continuous Improvement
The City remains committed to finding more effective ways of delivering services safely, reliably and as affordably as possible. An Efficiency Review conducted in 2021 will identify future and ongoing opportunities. Here are a few examples in the 2022 Budget:
- eBuild, a new tool for customers to submit building and development permits online and monitor approval status
- An energy audit of 50 City-owned facilities to track energy consumption and recommend energy savings
- Replacing four buses with two 60-foot articulating buses and saving $224,000 in annual operating costs
- Customer-focused improvements to Service Regina have resulted in approximately $265,000 to be reallocated and the addition of an after-hours call service
The 2022 Budget Supports...
How we live, move, connect and grow.
The City provides essential services that residents rely on each day such as water, fire and police protection, garbage & recycling and more. We work to continually innovate and find better and more efficient ways to deliver services safely, reliably and as affordably as possible.
- $104 million for Regina Police Service
- $46 million for Regina Fire & Protective Services, plus 2.4 million to purchase land for future fire stations
- $5.5 million to prepare for launching an expanded Food and Yard Waste compost program in 2023
Budget Priority: Community Safety & Wellbeing
The 2022 Budget also supports many projects and strategic initiatives that will enhance community safety and well-being for Regina residents.
- $875,000 for Community Safety & Well-being Plan Implementation
- $500,000 for harm reduction funding through the Community Investments Grant Program
Regina's Water Utility
Regina’s Water Utility operates on a full cost-recovery basis and ensures Regina residents enjoy safe and reliable water, wastewater and stormwater services. A rate increase of 5% is proposed for 2022; 2% of which will go toward speeding up replacement of lead pipe connections.
Utility Fund Capital Investments
- $119 million in 2022 for infrastructure renewal, new construction, and maintenance of Regina’s water, wastewater and stormwater systems. This includes:
- $42 million for the five-year Eastern Pressure Solution Project to address water pressure deficiencies throughout Regina
- $10 million for initial replacement and upgrading of water meters throughout Regina, which will provide real-time information and improve efficiency
- $33 million toward water, wastewater and drainage infrastructure renewal, which is funded through user fees on a cost-recovery basis
We are committed to improving reliability and overall quality of travel in Regina and ensuring that all residents can access travel infrastructure that allows them to move safely throughout the city.
Budget Priority: Improving Infrastructure
The City will invest $1.2 million to create safer sidewalks by addressing a backlog in sidewalk maintenance, as well as $600,000 on the Vision Zero Road Safety project and $125,000 toward a Clean Streets program.
Improving Regina Roads
- Over $50 million to improve and enhance Regina's road infrastructure network, including:
- $18 million for Street Infrastructure Renewal
- $12 million for Residential Road Renewal
- $10 million for Saskatchewan Drive Corridor
- $10 million for the Pinkie Road Upgrade (Sherwood Drive to Dewdney Avenue)
- $5 million for bridge infrastructure renewal
Transit & Paratransit
- $28 million for Regina Transit and Paratransit, including new bus service for the Aurora neighbourhood and
funding for additional Paratransit buses (see Accessibility & Inclusion in How We Connect)
Parks, recreation and cultural services are essential to providing a higher quality of life for residents and they provide meaningful opportunities to become connected with our neighbours and enhance our overall well-being.
- $15 million for Community Investments grants that support economic development, culture, sport and recreation, and social development
- $7 million for the Recreation/Culture Capital Program and Recreational Infrastructure Program
- $1.1 million for parks, playgrounds, recreation equipment and athletic fields infrastructure
- $450,000 to initiate Regina’s Winter City Strategy
- $300,000 to support Heritage Conservation Policy incentives
- $75,000 to establish an ongoing Indigenous Artist in Residence Program
Budget Priority: Accessibility & Inclusion
The 2022 Budget invests $1 million to make recreation and leisure activities more accessible for people with disabilities. This includes:
- $375,000 to support the creation of an Adapted Recreation Plan for Regina
- $365,000 to fund additional paratransit bus service and $280,000 for new paratransit buses to ensure Paratransit users have enhanced access to recreation and leisure activities
Healthy and sustainable communities are created through population growth and complete neighbourhoods for residents of all ages to live, work, and access the services they need. This is influenced by community planning, funding new and renewable infrastructure, and supporting economic development.
- $12 million to support the Facilities Asset Management Program, which is designed to extend the use of City-owned facilities and reduce expenses in the future
- $280,000 for the creation of a Business Service Team to support economic growth to Regina and ensure a coordinated approach to business development
Budget Priority: Sustainability
Regina has committed to becoming a fully renewable city by 2050. To achieve this, the City must invest
in actions that support electrification and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, among other actions that will be identified in the Energy & Sustainability Framework. The 2022 Budget will invest more than $800,000 in initiatives that will advance Regina's 2050 goal.
Closing the Infrastructure Funding Gap
Since 2012, the City has nearly tripled its commitment to reduce the funding gap for future infrastructure costs. In 2022, the City will spend $62 million toward capital expenses from the General Operating Fund, an increase of $4 million over last year. This means the City is able to invest in current and future infrastructure work with less dependency on external funds or incurring debt.
Understanding Your Taxes
The proposed 3.49% mill rate increase includes previously dedicated mill rates for Mosaic Stadium (0.45%) and the Recreational Infrastructure Program (0.5%) plus added investment in the Regina Police Service (1.32%). For the average household valued at $315,000, this is an increase of $6.31 per month.
The chart below illustrates what makes up the mill rate.
| Mill Rate Increase (%) | |
| Civic Operations | 1.22 |
| Stadium | 0.45 |
| Recreation Infrastructure Program | 0.50 |
| Subtotal | 2.17 |
| Regina Police Service | 1.32 |
| Mill Rate Increase | 3.49 |
Pre-Budget Consultation
In July 2021, the City of Regina asked residents for feedback in planning the 2022 Budget. A total of 1,339 residents participated in the online consultation. The feedback received has helped to inform the decisions made in planning the 2022 Budget. View the Pre-Budget 2022 Consultation Results.
Get Involved
The Proposed 2022 Budget and any amendments will be considered by City Council:
- Wednesday, December 15 (Regina Police Service Budget) at 9 a.m.
- Thursday, December 16 & 17 (Operating, Capital & Utility Budget) at 9 a.m.
Citizens wanting to address City Council may attend the meeting via teleconference. To attend, you must provide the Office of the City Clerk with a written submission and the telephone number you will be using to call in. Email clerks@regina.ca or call 306-777-7262 no later than 12 p.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2021. You will receive meeting details and instructions after you have confirmed your attendance for the meeting.
These meetings will be streamed live on Regina.ca/meetings or MyAccess.ca.
