Saskatoon city council has initiated efforts to reduce the impending property tax hikes, although residents can expect increased fees for various city services.
During a meticulous session on Wednesday, the council deliberated on a list of 108 options aimed at mitigating tax increases for the upcoming year and 2027. By 5 p.m., the council successfully lowered the tax hikes to 6.43% for the next year and 5.75% for 2027.
Councilor Robert Pearce expressed satisfaction with the progress made over the two-day session, emphasizing the importance of exploring every avenue to minimize the tax increases.
The initial tax hike figures of 7.43% and 5.95% for the respective years have now been reduced to $151.92 and $144.60 annually for the following two years, based on a median assessed home value of $394,000.
As deliberations continue, with many options still pending discussion on Thursday, the council faces challenging decisions ahead, including the potential reduction of bus services and the possible closure of George Ward Pool.
While most proposed cost-cutting measures and revenue-boosting initiatives were approved, some options only yield minimal savings, such as reducing the frequency of tax reminder letters, which could save as little as $7,000. However, other measures offer significant savings.
Council rejected only a few of the 46 proposed cuts, including a plan to close downtown public washrooms to save $40,000, citing concerns about human dignity.
Additionally, the council approved fee increases, such as raising the landfill entrance fee by $5 to $20 and increasing the landfill weight fees to $108 per tonne next year and $112 per tonne in 2027.
Furthermore, other approved fee adjustments include a $10 increase in some parking tickets to generate an extra $500,000 and the introduction of a $75 fee for sewer inspections and pipe unblocking services.
In a bid to optimize the budget, the council also decided to reduce advertising in local media outlets, including the StarPhoenix newspaper and phonebook, while retaining the annual pancake breakfast fundraiser at city hall.
In a separate session, a city councilor advocated for increased provincial funding for the Remai Modern art gallery, highlighting the disparity in funding compared to Regina’s MacKenzie Art Gallery. The council unanimously approved substantial grants for the Remai Modern gallery, emphasizing its significance as a cultural asset.
The budget discussions also covered other municipal facilities, with positive updates on TCU Place’s financial performance and future funding requests to sustain operations.
Overall, the council approved grants for various venues operated by council-appointed boards, demonstrating a commitment to supporting cultural and event spaces in Saskatoon.