It took three meetings to get it done, but Regina City Council finally passed its 2020 budget Friday afternoon.
While Mayor Michael Fougere had been hoping to get the mill rate reduced to under three percent, Councillors voted for a mill rate increase of 3.25 percent which is what city administration had proposed. This means an additional $5.60 per month, or $67.20 per year, in property taxes for a Regina homeowner with an assessed property value of $350,000.
In an attempt to get the mill rate to under three percent, Fougere wanted to take one million dollars from surplus funding in an idea backed by Councillor Sharron Bryce, but the two motions put forth were both defeated resulting in both voting against the budget.
“In the view of council, this is the best budget we could put forward for 2020,” said Fougere.
Fougere also said getting down to a zero percent increase will be unlikely looking forward.
“This council, and the last few councils, have been trying to be frugal with taxpayers money, but you set yourself back when you go to zero because you’re unable to respond to opportunities and pressures for costs of service that you need to be providing for people.”
One veteran Councillor feels this is the best budget brought forward since he started his career in civic politics.
Property taxes aren’t the only thing going up. Utility rates are increasing by three per cent meaning the average homeowner will pay $4.14 extra a month.
