Regina council approves $229M in capital spending in advance 2025 budget
Alexander Quon | CBC News | Posted: December 12, 2024 12:20 AM | Last Updated: December 12
Council also retroactively reduced Saskatchewan Roughriders rent at Mosaic Stadium for pandemic years
Regina's new city council was sworn in just a few weeks ago, but it has already made significant financial decisions after approving $229 million in capital spending on Wednesday.
The council's first regular meeting with an agenda beyond approving election results saw 10 councillors and Mayor Chad Bachynski approve an advance 2025 budget.
Due to the timing of the 2024 election, council won't debate the full budget until March 2025.
City administration requested pre-approval on parts of the budget, because some projects require funding so they can continue in the new year. Without the money, work would grind to a halt and completion could be delayed, staff said.
Despite the unanimous vote, the decision did face verbal opposition from some members of council.
One of the sticking points was the $15-million price tag to repair a stormwater pipe that collapsed in June 2023. The damage opened a sinkhole in the backyard of a family living next to the Memorial Bridge on Albert Street.
A temporary fix created a large ditch in Wascana Park and required large water pumps to move rainwater to Wascana Creek.
Ward 1 Coun. Dan Rashovich inquired about having the province cover some of the repair's costs.
"It is in [Wascana] Park and I guess my thinking is maybe we should be going back I think to the province, because they are partners in the park, for possible funding on something like that," Rashovich said.
City staff explained that the province believes the infrastructure is the responsibility of the city and as a result would not be lending a hand.
The advance budget included $5.6 million for the general operating budget, $92.4 million for the general capital budget and $131.7 million for the utility capital budget, totalling more than $229 million.
The figures represent approximately 43 per cent of the overall general capital plan and 80 per cent of the utility capital plan.
Roughriders rent retroactively reduced
Council also decided on Wednesday to retroactively reduce the rent for the Saskatchewan Roughriders for 2020 and 2021.
The 2020 CFL season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 season was delayed and then shortened. While the Riders made significantly less money during that time, the team still owed the City of Regina $3.6 million in rent for Mosaic Stadium.
A lengthy negotiation between city officials and the Riders ended in a an agreement that the bill would be cut by $1.33 million. All it required was city council's approval.
City manager Niki Anderson warned council that rejecting the agreement could mean a lengthy lawsuit that would see a less favourable outcome for the City of Regina.
"Both parties have agreed that this is a reasonable compromise and as far as the Riders are concerned, this is as reasonable as it gets before it would move on to a court case."
The deal wasn't welcomed by every council member, including Ward 8 Coun. Shanon Zachidniak.
WATCH | Regina's mayor explains why Roughriders are getting a break on rent bill:
Zachidniak said residents in her ward raised concern that the Roughriders were getting special treatment when everyone suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I find it very difficult to support this request and based on what I've heard from my residents I don't believe I will be supporting it," Zachidniak said.
The deal was ultimately approved by a 9-2 vote. Zachidniak was joined by Ward 6 Coun. Victoria Flores in rejecting the deal.
Mayor Bachynski declined to say whether he thought the resolution was a fair deal.
"I wasn't at the table. I'll just give administration credit that they did their best to get to that spot," Bachynski said.