City Continues Investing in What Matters: 2015 Annual Report

The City continues to maintain its previous successes and move forward on meeting its Strategic Goals – the theme of the 2015 City of Saskatoon Annual Report – Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage.

“The Report highlights the progress made in 2015 on our investment activities, projects, and services, which align with what matters to our citizens and our corporate goals as directed by the City’s ten-year Strategic Plan,” says Clae Hack, Acting Chief Financial Officer.

At its August 18th meeting, City Council will receive the Annual Report as well as the 2015 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, and Trust Fund Financial Statements. The Annual Report reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to accountability, transparency, and openness in financial reporting and is now available online at saskatoon.ca/annualreport.

Among the sustained achievements, the City was able to maintain its Standard & Poor’s ‘AAA/ Stable’ credit rating in 2015, much supported by the City’s willingness to explore innovative and alternative ways to fund, finance and deliver important infrastructure projects.

“Our financial flexibility continues to provide a solid foundation for planning key projects and delivering core services our residents rely on every day – all making us a municipal leader in Canada,” says City Manager Murray Totland. “Our $53 million investment in roads, the North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge Replacement Project, progress made on our new Civic Operations Centre and the completion of PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park all demonstrate our dedication to continuous improvement and innovation for the challenges that come with rapid growth."

The City placed a strong emphasis on public engagement and improving customer service in 2015 through a new online budget tool to obtain citizen feedback on the proposed 2016 Business Plan and Budget.

The City strives to keep improving with the launch of Service Saskatoon-- a new model for providing responsive citizen and customer service.

With a goal of being the best-managed city in Canada, Saskatoon’s Council and civic staff remain committed to ensure residents get the most out of tax dollars, as well as managing risk and debt appropriately.

“We are effectively investing tax dollars every year to provide the best projects, programs, services and value for residents - all of which support our continued great quality of life in Saskatoon,” Totland says.