After budget deliberations wrapped up last night in Regina, residents in the Queen City are facing a property tax increase of 4.33 per cent. Part of the plans for 2019 included the rebuild of Maple Leaf pool after many people came to council on the first night in an effort to save the pool in the core neighborhood. Mayor Michael Fougere said this does not necessarily mean the end of a destination water park in Wascana Park.
And an additional mill rate increase is not off the table with the decision to keep Maple Leaf pool. Councillor Bob Hawkins introduced an amendment that would see the mill rate increase .45% every year for the next three years in order to pay for the pool. That decision was referred. Water utilities are also on the rise. Regina City Council approved a 3% increase for 2019, as well as the next two years.
On Monday, Prince Albert’s proposed 2019 budget was defeated. Council was split 4-4 on the 100-million dollar plan falling one vote short of what’s needed for approval. Councillor Ted Zurakowski was absent from last night’s meeting. Another meeting to address the general budget which includes fire services as well as road and park maintenance is scheduled for December 20th.
Saskatoon City Council, during budget deliberations last month, approved a property tax increase of 4.4-percent. That means a yearly increase for the average homeowner of 79-dollars-and-50 cents or just over $6.50 a month in 2019.