Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski has put forward a new proposal for the city's 2026 operating budget, suggesting a mill rate increase of 10.73 per cent. This figure represents a significant reduction from the 15.69 per cent increase initially estimated by city administration earlier this fall.
A New Starting Point for Budget Talks
Mayor Bachynski introduced the lower mill rate as an alternate "starting point" for city council's deliberations during meetings at Regina City Hall on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. He stated the proposal was shaped by public feedback, noting that over 60 delegates registered to speak to council about the budget.
"Delegates made very clear we don't want to see a drastic increase to taxes, but at the same time don't want to see services cut that make our city liveable," Bachynski said.
Finding Savings to Reduce the Tax Burden
To achieve the lower tax increase, the mayor's proposal outlines $12.8 million in suggested savings, drawn from a pre-existing report on potential cuts. Even at 10.73 per cent, this would be the highest mill rate increase passed in Regina since at least 2005, translating to roughly $271 more per year for the average homeowner.
The proposed spending reductions target both internal city operations and public-facing services. Key internal cuts include pulling $480,000 from the consulting budget, removing $1.8 million from the fleet operations pool, and cancelling a $3.7 million transfer to the Fleet Reserve used for bus replacements.
Proposed Cuts to City Services
Public service reductions on the table are wide-ranging and include:
- Removing physical downtown parking meters, requiring payment via mobile app.
- Cancelling plans to expand evening transit hours on Sundays and holidays.
- Ending free parking at Wascana Pool.
- Reducing park maintenance from weekly to monthly.
- Cutting back on pavement marking, dust suppression, pest control, and fertilizing.
- Eliminating winter sand boxes.
- Reducing the City Centre Incentive Program.
- Cancelling the hiring of two additional Service Regina staff and an LGBTQ+ consultant.
To generate non-tax revenue, Bachynski also suggested raising bus fares by 10 per cent starting in April 2026.
Budget Deliberations Continue
Regina City Council continues to debate the general operating budget, with talks scheduled to run through Friday, December 19, 2025. The mayor's proposal sets the stage for final negotiations as councillors balance the need for municipal revenue against the impact on residents and city livability.
