REGINA - Regina's first executive committee meeting of 2025 started off with several key topics.
The meeting started with the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment semi-annual report. In the report, the corporation proposed a 13 per cent increase for water rates to $461.50 per megalitres in 2025, and in 2026, that would then increase to $485.00/ML.
Despite the increase in costs, the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment has seen a drop in water sales over the past few years. In 2022, water sales from Regina were down around 3 per cent.
These numbers had some councillors confused as to why the costs will continue to increase, including Ward 1 Coun. Dan Rashovich.
Rashovich asked the CEO of Buffalo Pound Water Treatment, Ryan Johnson, to explain the need for increased costs.
Johnson said, "so, when water sales are down… the fix costs remain the same whether we sell 1000/ML of water [or] if we sell 3500/ML. The fixed costs do not change [but] the variable does, and it’s about a 60/40 split. So, last year, we were about $900,000 short on water sales… but we also saved about $380,000 in chemical and utility [because less water was used]. So, they’re some savings, so it’s not one-for-one. But, unfortunately, we still have to make up for the base, plus the increment cost, so we have to increase rates a bit."
In his answer, Johnson also pointed out while you may see consumption go down per individual, the growth of the city will increase the water usage.
When Rashovich asked Johnson if costs could go down in the long run because more revenue is coming in from Regina growing in population, Johnson said, "I think [with a growing population], it’s not going to change a lot. We’ve had 0 per cent increases in years where we didn’t need an increase because we had enough [revenue]."
Johnston also said the cities didn’t want to see rates going up and down, so the corporation will maintain rates at 0 per cent if they’re in a good position, but they won’t likely decrease rates.
Along with Rashovich, Deputy Mayor Shanon Zachidniak brought up the fact that many people are trying to conserve their water usage to keep their rates more affordable, and she felt the people conserving water should be rewarded for it.
When asked about her overall thoughts on the matter, Zachidniak said. "I do think that's something that is unfortunate and [it] is something that merits a further investigation, and the Buffalo Pound Treatment Corporation did commit to doing some further investigation. I think there will be an additional meeting with some of those folks and some councillors who would like to learn more just to ensure that we are doing whatever we can do. We want to encourage water conservation. We certainly don't want to disincentivize water conservation, so I think it's really important that we look into that further."
Even with the concerns from the councillors, it was a unanimous vote to move the motion forward.
Another big talking point during the executive committee meeting was the discussion of how the city would spend approximately $35 million of the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) and the Canadian Community-Build Fund (CCFB) program funding worth approximately $13.8 million in 2025, with escalations occurring in upcoming years.
Projections based on the city's growth suggest around 16,000 new housing units will need to be built over the next decade.
Part of getting new housing units is using $4 million of the HAF to turn office spaces downtown into residential properties.
The city sees it as a way for more people to have easier access to transportation, work, amenities, etc. City workers noted that there has not been development for housing downtown because the demand is not there.
Saskatoon was facing similar issues years ago until one condo project went ahead and became successful to the point there were units being built left and right downtown.
Seeing as Saskatoon can be used as an example of what Regina could see in terms of more housing units downtown, Zachidniak said "it’s heartening to know". She added, "hopefully, we can incentivize those who would wish to consider moving downtown to do so and make it easier for them to successfully do that."
Regina's executive committee also passed the motion to next week’s council meeting to use $4 million of the HAF for the city’s Rental Acquisition & Repair Pilot Incentive in 2025 and 2026, with an additional $2 million going towards the Pre-development Grants Pilot Incentive. These two incentives are under the Housing Incentives Policy (HIP).
Part of the $6 million total funding would be used to give capital grants to developers or non-profit organizations developing more affordable units in the city, primarily in the areas of North Central, City Centre and Heritage, if they meet certain conditions.
Another part of the funding would see affordable renters be eligible for tax exemptions and potential relaxations on repair costs that are at least $5,000 if they meet certain conditions.
