Regina's new city council faces 'learning curve' as it begins to tackle budget pre-approvals

Regina council got to work on Wednesday, holding one of its first meetings since eight new councillors and a new mayor were elected in last month's civic election.

The executive committee meeting lasted less than three hours and every item received unanimous support from the 11 council members.

As much as the committee meeting was about making first decisions, it was also about getting councillors up to speed on how a meeting operates. 

Mayor Chad Bachynski admitted there's a learning curve for everyone.

"I anticipated drinking through a fire hose. So that has met expectations, I'll say. But no, nothing overly surprising. It's really just the learning curve and keeping pace," Bachynski told media after the meeting.

The new council has undergone intensive orientation since the election. The lessons are meant to provide the new councillors with a better understanding of the complexity involved in governing a city of more than 226,000 people.

That process is not yet over, with more orientation scheduled for that start of the new year.

Bachynski said the orientation has helped bring the politicians — each of whom have different backgrounds, education and familiarity with municipal government — closer together.

"It was definitely one of the key factors that helped us to get together often and early, build some of those relationships and really understand each other," said the 39-year-old mayor.

WATCH | Fresh start with 9 new faces elected to Regina city council: 

Fresh start for Regina city council after 9 new faces elected to council

24 days ago

Duration 1:59

There will be a steep learning curve for a new Regina city council facing down challenges including an infrastructure gap totalling billions of dollars and a series of potential mega projects.

Wednesday's meeting saw some councillors begin to stake out positions on city spending. 

City administration requested pre-approval on part of the city budget, including $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.

That represents approximately 43 per cent of the overall general capital plan and 80 per cent of the utility capital plan.

Due to the timing of the 2024 election, council won't be asked to debate the full budget until March 2025.

City administration said some projects — such as revitalizing 11th Avenue — need to have funding so they can continue in they new year. Without it, work could grind to a halt and completion could be delayed.

Ward 1 Coun. Dan Rashovich and Ward 10 Coun. Clark Bezos were among the councillors voicing concerns about pre-approving parts of the city budget. 

"I'm thinking about the people of Regina," Rashovich said.

"You wonder if these things, sometimes maybe it's easier just to buy brand new, but sometimes used isn't bad either." 

Wednesday's unanimous vote doesn't mean the pre-approval is finalized. It must be approved at a regular city council meeting next Wednesday.