As Regina city council continues its preliminary look at the forecasted 2027 city budget, administration is providing some new revenue options to councillors to offset growing costs. One option includes the expansion of paid parking from the downtown. Over the summer, council and administration have planned special meetings to review its preliminary budget in preparation for fulsome deliberations in December. In August, it began its look at the general operating budget with the strategic imperative of achieving a 5.81 per cent mill rate increase to keep Regina’s property taxes within the lowest 25 per cent among comparator cities. On Tuesday, administration presented 35 potential options for enhancements across a wide range of city services – including transit, parks maintenance and its own corporate operations. “The proposed service enhancements total $9.02 million in expenses, partially offset by $215,000 in additional revenues,” administration’s report posted to the city’s website outlined. “[This] results in a net taxation requirement of $8.81 million and an estimated 2.34 per cent mill rate impact if City Council were to add all of these to the Budget in December.” “If city council chooses to add any of these enhancements and stay within its strategic imperative, then service reductions that offset the cost of the selected enhancement will need to be identified,” it added. The proposed paid parking zones would be added near Regina General Hospital, Pasqua Hospital and into the Cathedral neighbourhood on Victoria Avenue and Angus Street. “Expansion of paid parking zones will help the City achieve parking utilization levels closer to targets which will allow more people to find parking especially during peak hours,” administration’s report said. “The goal will be to increase the turnover by requiring payment.” The city estimates it would create $110,000 in additional revenue. “The main benefits for drivers in these areas is parking availability near high parking generators. The primary disadvantage of this proposal is negative public perception especially near the hospital areas,” the city said. Among other potential service enhancements presented to council include the implementation of its 2SLGBTQIAP+ Action Plan, Accessibility plans, enhancing maintenance services downtown along with technology and software improvements. In addition to proposing the enhancements, the 35 potential options include the request for dozens of new employees – both full-time and casual – should they all be implemented. None of the proposed enhancements will be approved until final budget deliberations in December. City council is set for its first look at the 2027-2031 capital plan later this month at a meeting set for Sept. 22. On Oct. 6, councillors will get insight into the utility budget; along with a first look at a potential utility rate increase. Requests for increased funding from the city’s service partners, including Regina Police Service, Provincial Capital Commission, and Economic Development Regina, remain under development. Those requests will be presented to council in October before being incorporated into the proposed budget which will be discussed during December’s budget meetings. 2027 budget deliberations are scheduled to take place over four days between Dec. 8-11, 2026.
