On Wednesday, the Regina city council approved cutting $1.55 million from the 2025 municipal budget, fulfilling a pledge they had made in March to finance a 0.5 percent decrease in the city’s mill rate.
Following the choice made during the 2025 budget discussions, the city decided to reduce its significant 7.33 percent rise — the largest increment in more than ten years — applied for this year to its mill rate. The mill rate determines how much tax must be paid for every $1,000 of assessable property value.
Initially, the city suggested saving funds by dismissing 34 external consultants and “out-of-scope” management roles; however, this plan was abandoned following significant opposition.
Consequently, the council asked city officials to come back in May with several proposals aimed at reducing costs, which they would then vote on.
We pledged to present you with a variety of choices,” stated Regina city clerk Jim Nicol during the council meeting on Wednesday. “We examined these possibilities thoroughly to ensure they were practical, acceptable, and achievable.
Councillor David Froh from Ward 3 stated that there are “no ideal reductions.”
“I definitely expect that the residents of Regina wouldn’t be keen on us cutting back on our mosquito control services or our dust suppression measures,” he stated.
The council discovered $1.55 million in savings following their review of 13 distinct city programs and budget proposals.
The most significant cost reductions were achieved through the cessation of carbon tax payments on the city’s electricity and natural gas bills starting April 1, following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement.
lowered the consumer carbon tax to zero percent
.
This amounted to $600,000, representing 39 percent of the overall deficit. The second biggest reduction affected the transit fleet reserve, which supports the acquisition of new city buses and other transportation vehicles. This particular allocation faced a decrease of $500,000 down from an initial $6.2 million for the year 2025.
Each of the city’s budgets for natural gas, workspace enhancement, and building upgrades was reduced by $100,000.
The municipality reduced spending by an additional $80,000 by decreasing the regularity of cleaning duties in areas not accessible to the public, such as city hall, transportation hubs, and fire stations.
An additional $26,000 was conserved by postponing a cybersecurity review.
Moreover, the mosquito control budget was ultimately reduced by $44,000, helping to reach the $1.55 million target.
“It was a list of items that wouldn’t significantly affect the services,” said Mayor Chad Bachynski following the vote. “We identified which services might have a more noticeable effect on residents compared to others.”
In addition to Flores and Bachynski, Counselors Clark Bezo, Mark Burton, Victoria Flores, David Froh, and George Tsiklis supported the framework. On the contrary, Counselors Dan Rashovich, Shobna Radons, and Sarah Turnbull opposed it.
Turnbull tried a distinct set of reductions. Her plan involved decreasing the transit fleet reserve’s budget by just $250,000, compensating for this with an equal cut from the external and professional services budget. This latter section covers payments to outside consultants who handle specific municipal initiatives.
The choice backed solely by Turnbull and Radons was turned down.
The city council has approved unanimously to accept the donation of a storage facility from the Regina Ski Club located at Kinsmen Park, as well as to establish a lease arrangement with the Regina Rugby Union for their clubhouse.
