After four days of deliberation, Regina City Council approved its 2025 budget, making minor amendments along the way. The General Operating and Capital Budget was locked in with a mill rate of 7.33 per cent, dropping from the proposed 8.50 per cent. This equates to an average of $14.65 per month for the average household. The budget allocated funds to various organizations, with Regina Exhibition Association Limited receiving $11,215,244 after an amendment was made to reduce their ask by $300,000. Economic Development Regina was granted $2,100,000, while the Provincial Capital Fund received $2,719,000 for operations.
The Regina Police Service made their budget presentation seeking $122,461,200 for operations, a reduction of $800,000 from their initial request. The net operating budget was set at $108,917,200, including a one-time payment of $623,300 from the Community Policing Initiative Reserve to fund alternative officers in 2025. Mayor Chad Bachynski made an amendment that passed unanimously, approving funding of $650,000 for design work for the second floor of the Regina Police Service headquarters in 2025. This also included a request for up to $4,000,000 for the completion of the project during the 2026-2027 budget.
The Utility Operating and Capital Budget was also quickly approved unchanged, resulting in a 5.82 per cent rate increase, which translates to an additional $10 per month for the average Regina household. Another significant component of the budget review was the mill rate requests for the Regina Public Library (RPL). The board asked for a mill rate increase of 0.99326 to cover a 4.58 per cent increase in operations and an additional 5.5 per cent for the Central Library Renewal Project. After a long debate and some procedural clarification, both increases were approved, bringing the total monthly cost for the average Regina household to $26.41.
Overall, the budget approval process involved intense debates, discussions, and final decisions. The city council carefully considered various funding requests from different organizations and departments, making adjustments to ensure the budget aligned with the city’s priorities and financial constraints. By approving the General Operating and Capital Budget, as well as the Utility Operating and Capital Budget, the council aimed to support essential services and infrastructure projects while balancing the needs of the community with fiscal responsibility. The decisions made during this budget cycle will impact the city’s operations and services for the upcoming fiscal year.
The approval of funding for organizations like Regina Exhibition Association Limited, Economic Development Regina, and the Provincial Capital Fund highlights the city council’s commitment to supporting economic development and cultural initiatives within the community. Additionally, allocating resources to the Regina Police Service demonstrates the council’s recognition of the importance of public safety and law enforcement in maintaining a secure and orderly city. The decision to increase the utility rate and approve the mill rate requests for the Regina Public Library reflects the council’s efforts to address the growing needs of residents while managing the city’s financial resources effectively.
In conclusion, the 2025 budget approval process in Regina involved careful consideration of various funding requests and priorities. The council made adjustments to the General Operating and Capital Budget, as well as the Utility Operating and Capital Budget, to ensure that essential services and infrastructure projects were adequately funded. By approving funding for organizations like Regina Exhibition Association Limited, Economic Development Regina, and the Regina Police Service, the council demonstrated its commitment to supporting economic growth, cultural initiatives, and public safety within the community. The decisions made during this budget cycle will have a significant impact on the city’s operations and services for the upcoming fiscal year, ultimately shaping the quality of life for residents in Regina.
