REGINA — Although a decision on the City of Regina’s 2027 budget is months away, taxpayers and city council are getting a first-hand look at the direction it could head in a Tuesday meeting featuring a preliminary overview of the 2027 general operating budget.
The budget’s goal is clear: to keep Regina within the lowest 25 per cent of tax rates among comparable Canadian cities, in line with council’s approved four-year strategic plan. To achieve that target, the city is aiming for a mill rate increase of 5.81 per cent, which would be lower than the increases approved in the previous two budgets.
In the report, items including staff costs, capital funding, Regina Police Service, reserve replenishment, etc will require a $44.7 million increase in funding or a mill rate hike of 11.9 per cent.
Where the city will see some relief is project revenue increases of $17.7 million, including $8.3 million in tax revenue growth and $3 million in municipal revenue sharing.
Although revenues are projected to grow, the increase will not fully offset rising expenditures, prompting the administration to recommend efficiency and reductions to city services.
Efficiencies identified include reductions in transit-allocated expenses, while service cuts would affect road marking frequency and dust-sweeping operations.
This meeting is the first of five preliminary reports.
The 2027 budget process will continue with the 2027 preliminary forecast by Service on Aug. 25, followed by the 2027 preliminary forecast for service enhancements on Sept. 8.
The general capital budget discussions will include the preliminary forecast for the 2027 to 2031 general capital plan on Sept. 22, while the utility operating and capital review will take place on Oct. 6.
No decisions on funding services will occur until budget week in December.
