2023-24 City of Regina Budget Released

Today, the City of Regina releases its proposed 2023-24 Budget. This is the City’s first multi-year budget, which projects operational revenue and expenses for a two-year period and outlines the five-year capital plan.

The Budget outlines a plan to maintain City services at current or enhanced levels and proposes strategic investments to achieve significant community outcomes that will make Regina a more vibrant community, improve safety and well-being for residents, and foster economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.

“The release of the City’s first multi-year budget marks a shift toward longer-term financial planning that strengthens alignment with the City’s strategic priorities by ensuring that these goals and objectives are supported with long-term funding plans,” says Niki Anderson, City Manager. “Administration's philosophy during the creation of the draft budget was that, if a tax increase was being proposed, it must be reasonable and responsible, even if it meant containing new spending in ways that not everyone will agree with.  We are excited to participate in the consensus-building dialogue of budget deliberations with Council and residents that will advance us from a proposed budget to a final budget.”

To maintain current City services and achieve the strategic outcomes identified, a 4.67 per cent mill rate increase is proposed for 2023, followed by a 4.66 per cent increase in 2024.

For the average assessed home valued at $315,000, this will mean an increase of $8.72 per month ($104.64 annually) in 2023 and $9.11 per month ($109.32 annually) in 2024.

The City’s five-year general fund capital plan totals $741 million between 2023 and 2027, with $157 million in 2023.  Key capital and operational investments (more than $84 million) are proposed over the next two years specifically to support the City’s five strategic priorities - Economic Prosperity, Environmental Sustainability, Community Safety & Well-being, Vibrant Community, Operational Excellence. Some of these include:

• $20.6 million for facility upgrades to support City bus electrification
• $2.2 million for facility upgrades to advance the Renewable Regina 2050 goal
• $1.5 million for light-duty vehicle electric charging stations
• $1.7 million annual funding for Community & Social Impact Regina
• $458,000 annual funding plus $365,000 capital funding for the Winter City Strategy, including long-term funding for Frost Regina, Rick Hansen Skating Loop and Winter Hub, and A.E Wilson Park Winter Hub
• $758,000 annually for the Adapted Recreation Plan
• $646,000 for Transit On-Demand service

A 4.5 per cent rate increase is also proposed for the Utility Budget in 2023, followed by a 4 per cent increase in 2024, to maintain the water, wasterwater and stormwater system, fund the renewal of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant, and offer the new affordability program for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. For the average homeowner this means an annual increase of $87.94 in 2023 and $79.29 in 2024, or approximately $7.32 per month in 2023 and $6.60 per month in 2024.

The City continues to find savings and operational efficiencies to minimize the impact to residents resulting from inflation and other economic pressures. Approximately $1 million in cost savings was included in the 2023 budget and $1.5 million in the 2024 budget. In addition, $3.4 million in cost avoidance was achieved in 2022.

The 2023-24 Budget incorporates new programs, effective January 1, 2023, to make property taxes and utility bills more affordable for low-income seniors and people with disabilities in Regina. Homelessness is also a significant issue to address in Regina, and the City currently invests approximately $7.9 annually toward programs and initiatives related to homelessness, social development, and well-being. These Council-approved initiatives further our commitment to improving quality of life and access to services for all residents.

The 2023-24 Budget and any amendments will be considered at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 9 a.m., with additional discussion on December 15 and 16, if necessary. Anyone may appear as a delegation by filing a written brief with the Office of the City Clerk no later than 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 8. Information on preparing a submission is available on Regina.ca or contact the Office of the City Clerk at 306-777-7262.

Visit Regina.ca/budget to learn more about the 2023-24 Budget.