Big projects — with big price tags — central to Regina municipal election campaigns

When Regina residents head to the polls on Wednesday, many will be voting with one central question in mind: what should city council be spending money on?

It's a question echoed in the platforms of mayoral candidates, who have committed to "financial responsibility," "financial accountability" and "infrastructure renewal." 

It runs through advertisements from third-party organizations asking for tax freezes and an end to "pet projects" like a $245-million indoor aquatic facility. 

It's why many of the candidates — 53 total for 10 councillor spots and 11 for mayor — chose to put their name forward.

It's also why former mayor Pat Fiacco emerged from a self-imposed exile from municipal politics to weigh in and endorse mayoral candidate Lori Bresciani. 

"We take care of pipes. That's what municipal governments do. [Pipes], pavement and parks, those are the three fundamentals," Fiacco said last week. 

Fiacco's endorsement appears to be a rejection of the path set by incumbent mayor Sandra Masters, who is perceived by opponents, judging from their messaging, to be recklessly spending money the city cannot afford.

For the past four years, council has debated a series of potential large infrastructure projects.

As the city has looked at how to afford those projects — a new central library branch, a new indoor aquatic facility and a multitude of upgrades to infrastructure like wastewater and roadways — it has settled on debt financing.

Regina is currently waiting for a decision from the Saskatchewan Municipal Board on its request to increase its debt limit to $890 million from $660 million. The $230-million dollar increase would help the city pay for projects like the indoor aquatic facility.

Some residents and candidates view those projects as a waste of money. Others, like incumbent councillor Bob Hawkins, have called them necessary investments.

For example, the Regina Public Library has insisted it cannot continue operating the central branch in its existing building. Fixing the multitude of issues — including heating, electrical and the roof not being attached to the building's walls — would cost nearly as much as a new building, according to the Regina Public Library. 

That's why council already approved between $92 million and $119 million in debt financing for the planned project. 

A property tax increase to help pay off the debt from those projects is not assured, but it is likely.