Late Thursday afternoon, The City of Saskatoon released its take on the 2022/23 business plan and budget. The news release says the property tax increase of 3.86 per cent next year and 3.53 per cent in 2023 will generate an additional almost $10.3-million in the first year and just over 49.9-million in the second.
For a single family detached home with an average assessed value of $344,000 it means a municipal property tax increase of $6.17 per month or $74.04 for the year in 2022. In 2023, the increase would be $5.87 a month or $70.43 for the year.
Mayor Charlie Clark believes it was one of the toughest budgets Council has faced. He says, “This budget keeps our tax rate lower than the average over the last ten years, while making key investments to support our recovery.”
Here is an overview from the City of Saskatoon:
Investment decisions over 2022 and 2023 support our growing and increasingly diverse city and include:
- new transit service to North Kensington and Aspen Ridge,
- public engagement enhancement,
- Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion programs and initiatives – including the Office of the Representative of the Matriarchs and IWG2S Women’s Centre,
- an additional Fire Bylaw Inspector,
- graffiti management,
- the urban forest and pest management,
- climate adaptation and green infrastructure advancement, and
- recreation and sport improvements.
“City Council adjusted and debated to arrive at a budget that continues to support the key civic services citizens expect, and balances addressing strategic priorities for the City,” says Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager.
“The Administration will now work hard to execute the direction of City Council and deliver the quality services and programs to the public we proudly serve,” Jorgenson adds. “There are ambitious cost-saving and service improvement expectations included in this budget, and we will do everything in our power to meet or exceed those expectations as our community recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This multi-year budget takes us forward having set a new standard for transparency.”
Weighing decisions against the vision of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, the finalized 2022 and 2023 budgets support continued financial recovery for the City, promote growth for the community, and maintain quality of life and the needed momentum to keep the City moving forward sustainably.
Investing in Public Safety and Protection
City Council approved the Saskatoon Police Service budget which included resources to address the growth of the City and increase in calls for service with the addition of eight new Patrol Constables in 2022 and four Patrol Constables in 2023.
In addition, six positions were approved for 2022 to address items such as Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy requests (FOIP), technological crimes, Audio Video (AV) disclosures, investigations and major crimes were also included in the approved budget. The 2023 budget also includes four additional positions to address FOIP, AV disclosures, and investigations.
For the Saskatoon Fire Department, City Council invested $2.3 million in Next Generation 9-1-1 technology to enhance its Communications Centre. Council made further investments to replace major apparatus within the fleet, equipment, small vehicles, and uniform purchases total $4.4 million over 2022 and 2023. Additional positions for firefighters were approved to support better response times for Saskatoon’s growing neighbourhoods, along with Fire Bylaw Inspectors as a proactive approach to property maintenance inspections.
COVID-19 IMPACT
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic generates a high degree of uncertainty for fiscal planning. The City is estimating that the COVID-19 impact will be $13.85 million in 2022 and $10.02 million in 2023. These impacts are offset by one-time reallocated funding and do not affect the approved municipal property tax increases.
Notable Capital Investments Include:
- $33.9 million in 2022 and $24.7 million in 2023 for upgrades and maintenance to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- $41.2 million in 2022 and $52.0 million in 2023 for upgrades and maintenance to the Water Treatment Plant.
- $32.0 million in 2022 and $33.0 million in 2023 for paved roadway and sidewalk preservation.
- $10.5 million in 2022 and $46.3 million in 2023 for the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit system (contingent on ICIP Government Funding).
- $2.64 million in 2022 for Transit and Access Transit Bus Replacement.
Utility fees in 2022 and 2023 for water and wastewater usage include an overall average increase of 2.5% and 3.4% respectively, resulting in an additional $3.25 per month in 2022 and $4.63 per month in 2023 for the average homeowner.
Indoor Leisure Centre admission rates will increase by 2% in 2022 and 2023. As an example, adult General Admission will increase from $9.80 to $10.00 in 2022 and $10.25 in 2023. The adult Monthly LeisureCard will increase from $50.00 to $51.00 in 2022 and $52.00 in 2023.
In 2022, City Council will have the flexibility to make any necessary budgetary corrections for events or circumstances requiring funding or resource adjustments.
The City’s second Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget for 2022 and 2023 supports the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan’s vision, and investments in the priorities and services that matter most to citizens, ensuring Saskatoon continues to be a great place to live, work, learn and play.
