REGINA – A motion is now on the floor at Regina council deliberations that would bring down administration’s proposed massive mill rate increase.
Mayor Chad Bachynski has moved a motion that would amend administration’s recommendation of a 15.69 per cent mill rate increase for the general operating budget, and instead set the 2026 mill rate increase at 10.73 per cent.
The motion also calls for a host of financial reductions across the board to programs and services, including a ten per cent increase in transit fares effective April 1. Also included is funding to Economic Development Regina of $1.980 million, funding to Provincial Capital Commission of $2.719 million and funding to REAL of $10.8 million. There are also changes to capital spending as well.
The list of changes is extensive compared to what administration originally proposed. While the mill rate increase would be lower than originally proposed, it would still represent a major tax hit to residents of Regina and the biggest mill rate increase in years.
At the moment, council is in an hour-long recess while council members review the extensive numbers being put forward, with council set to resume budget deliberations at 10:50 a.m. this morning.
