REGINA - The second day of 2024 budget deliberations is now under way in Regina.
Day one on Wednesday saw the deliberation on the Regina Police Service budget, as well as the presentation from delegations regarding the budget. Most of those delegations were heard Wednesday.
Thursday’s deliberations started by hearing presentations from delegations who had not made it onto the schedule the previous day. Dominating the morning was the budget presentation from Regina Exhibition Association Ltd., with REAL CEO Tim Reid and City Manager Niki Anderson presenting. Just the previous day, the City confirmed that Anderson had been appointed the new REAL board chair, with Jennifer Johnson as new Vice-Chair.
Following the presentations from delegations is the beginning of council discussion on the operating and capital budgets. Based on the city’s supplemental report, administration is recommending a 2.82 per cent mill rate increase for 2024. That proposal would also include a one percent increase to help cover off the funding request from REAL.
UPDATE: The budget presentation from REAL has concluded following the lunch break, and any remaining delegations' written submissions have been accepted in a receive-and-file. Council has now moved on to a question and answer session of administration officials on the operations and capital budget, including the recommendation of the 2.82 per cent mill rate increase. At this point, it appears a decision on the budget by council could happen later today. If needed, a third day of deliberations would take place Friday, Dec. 15.
