Regina City Council Approves 2023 Budget with Mill Rate Increase of 3.67 per cent
Regina City Council has approved the 2023 Budget with a 3.67 per cent mill rate increase. For the average assessed home valued at $315,000, this will mean an increase of $6.85 per month ($82.20 annually) in 2023.
The approved mill rate reduces the proposed mill rate by one per cent. Council directed Administration to achieve the reduction by implementing internal expenditure measures of approximately $2.9 million. Administration will provide quarterly reports to Executive Committee, beginning in early 2023, to outline these measures.
On Wednesday, December 14, City Council approved the 2023 Regina Police Service (RPS) budget. A net investment of $98.1 million will allow RPS to add 16 sworn police officers in 2023. Additional civilian positions, including a psychologist and physiotherapist, will improve the well-being of frontline officers. The 2023 mill rate increase of 3.67 per cent also includes a previously approved dedicated mill rate increase of 0.5 per cent for recreational infrastructure. This dedicated amount and the RPS investment will not be affected by Council’s direction to reduce spending in 2023.
The newly approved 2023 Budget includes strategic investments to make Regina a more vibrant community, improve safety and well-being for residents, and drive economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. The five-year general capital plan, approved today, includes $157 million invested in our community in 2023, with an overall planned investment of $741 million between 2023 and 2027.
Beginning January 1, 2023, the City will implement new programs to improve affordability for low-income households with seniors and persons living with a disability, investing $860,000 toward the new High-Efficiency Water Retrofits Program, the Water Utility Rebate Program, and the Municipal Property Tax Deferral program. Visit Regina.ca for more details on these programs.
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 related to the efficiency review was included in the 2023 Budget.
Council also approved the 2023 Utility Capital Plan and Operating Budget. Utility rates support services including water supply, wastewater collection and treatment, stormwater collection and flood protection. Council approved a 4.5 per cent rate increase for 2023, which equates to a $7.32 monthly increase for an average household. The increase supports the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Renewal project, an affordability program, as well as continued operations.
