CONCLUSION
It has been the practice for the PCC, REAL, EDR and the RPL to provide the Executive Committee with a presentation outlining their work plan and budget request for the coming year. For PCC, REAL and EDR the purpose is to inform Executive Committee of the community investment that is being requested by these organizations for future budget deliberations by City Council. For the RPL the purpose is to present their budget and request a mill rate for the upcoming year to be deliberated and approved by City Council.
BACKGROUND
On December 10, 2018, City Council will discuss the 2019 General Operating Budget. Included in this budget will be the Community Investment Allocation to Executive Committee, which includes annual funding to REAL, EDR and the PCC. Also included is the RPL mill rate ask for 2019.
DISCUSSION
Provincial Capital Commission (PCC)
The PCC assumed operations of the Wascana Center Authority as part of the 2017 Provincial Budget. 2018-19 is a transition year for the Provincial Capital Commission including the establishment of a new funding model. Over the next few months, it is expected representatives from the Province, City and University will discuss a new sustainable funding model for the Commission. Until discussion are concluded, the funding model remains unchanged. The Wascana Centre Act was established in 1962 by the Government of Saskatchewan. The Act established a Board of Directors to represent WCA’s three participating parties – Province of Saskatchewan, City of Regina and University of Regina. Wascana Centre encompasses 2,300 acres of land within the City of Regina and includes numerous tenants and landowners.
PCC provides oversight and stewardship of the lands within Wascana Centre in a manner to fulfill the vision of being a place of recreation and beauty for all to enjoy throughout the seasons, the pride of Saskatchewan. The majority of revenue is in the form of grant contributions from the PCC’s participating parties: Government of Saskatchewan 55%, City of Regina 32% and University of Regina 13%.
PCC has presented a total request from the City of Regina of $2,719,000, which is the same as their 2018 request. This includes an ongoing operating funding of $2,119,000 and a capital request of $600,000 in 2019.
Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL)
The Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) is the non-profit corporation that is responsible for the stewardship, development, promotion and overall management of Evraz Place for the City of Regina. REAL is a large, multi-purpose event complex boasting over 1.2 million square feet of fully connected indoor space and over thirty (30) acres of outdoor usable space located in the heart of Regina – in close proximity to the Regina International Airport and downtown.
REAL is requesting $200,000 in funding in 2019, which is a reduction of $200,000 from 2018 approved funding. REAL is reducing the funding requested from the City of Regina as it develops a new strategic plan for the organization while concurrently performing a site-wide asset condition assessment. The intent is to gain a better understanding of future strategic needs as well as transparent assessment of current state of infrastructure. As such the funding is being requested to support improvements related to safety and critical business issues while due diligence is performed. The $200,000 will be allocated based on building assessments with a focus on safety and critical business issues.
Economic Development Regina (EDR)
EDR's mandate is to create and implement an economic development strategy to grow and sustain prosperity in the Regina region; encourage the retention, development, attraction and growth of business and tourism products and services for those who live, work, visit and invest in the Regina region; and market and promote the Regina region for business and tourism.
EDR is requesting funding of $1,812,000 in 2019, which is an increase of $92,500 over 2018 core funding. The additional $92,500 will be used to cover cost of living increases over the past number of years in terms of both staff salaries and benefits, as well as operating costs to maintain core services and the ability to achieve the 2019 Business Plan. EDR has not received a funding adjustment in the past four years.
Regina Public Library (RPL)
The Regina Public Library promotes and supports cultural, economic, educational and recreational development in the city through collections, programs and services.
Under Section 22(1) of The Public Libraries Act, the Board of the Regina Public Library is required to ask City Council for approval of the mill rate request. The 2019 Library mill rate request is 0.73285. This represents a 1.8% Library mill rate increase over 2018. This increase is due to an economic adjustment to maintain core services. The Regina Public Library did not request a mill rate increase in 2018.
RECOMMENDATION IMPLICATIONS
Financial Implications
None related to this report. The 2019 budget allocations for the PCC, REAL, EDR and the RPL mill rate will be determined by City Council through future budget deliberations.
Environmental Implications
None with respect to this report
Policy and/or Strategic Implications
None with respect to this report
Other Implications
None with respect to this report
Accessibility Implications
None with respect to this report
COMMUNICATIONS
The Provincial Capital Commission, Regina Exhibition Association Limited, Economic Development Regina and the Regina Public Library will be advised of the decision of City Council.
DELEGATED AUTHORITY
The recommendations contained in this report require City Council approval.
Respectfully submitted, 
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Report prepared by:
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