CITY SEEKS 4.7% MILL RATE HIKE
The increase would mean extra $93.24 on average home’s yearly tax bill. The administration is also calling for a 3% bump on water bills.
The City of Regina released its proposed budget for 2019 on Friday, but it might look a little different after city council has its say on Dec. 10.
The administration is suggesting a 4.7-per-cent mill rate increase, meaning property taxes would rise by $7.77 a month or $93.24 per year for the average Regina home.
MAYOR HAS OTHER IDEAS
“I think we can do better. I will be focusing on ways to reduce the mill rate,” Mayor Michael Fougere said.
“This is a large increase in tax, I think ... “It’s about affordability. It’s a balance between paying for services and then the ability to pay for that as well, and that sweet spot is going to be something we’ll have to look at.”
Last year, the city proposed a 4.86-per-cent mill rate increase, which council reduced to 4.34-percent.
Taxes comprise 54 per cent of the city’s revenue.
The city ’s tax revenue is projected to rise $15.4 million from 2018, including $11.2 million as a result of the mill rate increase.
YOUR WATER BILL IS PROBABLY GOING UP
If city council approves the proposed utility increase, expect to pay three per cent more on your utility bill as of Jan. 1.
This means a monthly increase of $4.14 in 2019 for a typical household, or $49.68 for the year.
Barry Lacey, executive director finance and corporate services, said Reginans can expect similar increases in the next two years.
“I think it’s prudent to have a three-year plan,” Fougere said.
The city projects $139 million in revenue due to the increased rates, increased consumption, and a new hauled wastewater station operated by Epcor.
The city plans to invest $414 million in the next five years in water, wastewater and drainage. Next year, it will begin plans to upgrade water meters in Regina homes.
PARKING METERS PROPOSED FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL AREA
“We’re going to have a conversation about that, too,” Fougere said of the parking meter proposal. “We’ll see the public’s reaction to this.”
City manager Chris Holden said parking meters would encourage turnover of vehicles in a busy area.
ROADS, INFRASTRUCTURE ARE THE PRIORITIES
Infrastructure renewal was the top priority for 23 per cent of respondents in a pre-budget survey of more than 2,700 residents; roads were the priority for 21 per cent of respondents.
The city’s proposed budget reflects that, allocating $49 million for road maintenance, $17.5 million for street infrastructure renewal, $12 million for the residential roads renewal program, $1.5 million for enhancement to Victoria Avenue between Albert and Broad, and $4.4 million for renewal of several bridges.
In non-road-related infrastructure, $7 million is for the new Regina Police Service headquarters, and $1.5 million is to design a new outdoor destination aquatic facility to replace the 71-year-old Wascana Pool.
TAX MONEY FOR MOSAIC STADIUM
“When Mosaic Stadium was constructed, council passed a resolution that there would be a dedicated mill rate of 0.45 each year for 10 years,” Holden explained.
That started in 2013, to build up revenue to operate and fund capital investments at the facility.
This year, 0.45 per cent of the mill rate increase translates to approximately $1.08 million.
THE PROPOSED BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES…
$83 million for the Regina Police Service;
$49 million for Regina Fire and Protective Services, which responds to more than 9,000 incidents per year;
$42 million for community services (sport, culture and recreation);
$22 million for parks and open spaces, to maintain 1,600 hectares of parks with 160,000 trees;
$26 million for transit services, which provide six million rides per year;
$24 million to collect and manage waste;
$11 million in community grants to support economic development, culture, sport, recreation and social development;
$4.5 million more to cover increased salary and benefit costs and changes to the Canada Pension Plan. The city is projecting to spend $171 million total on salaries and benefits in 2019.
HOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR SAY
City council will consider this proposed budget at a public meeting on Dec. 10, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. If necessary, the meeting will continue on Dec. 11.
Residents can speak at this meeting by applying to the Office of the City Clerk by 1 p.m. on Dec. 5. Call the city clerk’s office at 306-7777262.
Learn more about the budget at regina.ca/budget.