News Releases

Preliminary year-end financial results for the 2019 fiscal year yield a surplus of $518,343, a favourable variance of 0.10% from the overall 2019 budget of $510.36 million, pending City Council approval. The Administration is recommending that this surplus be transferred to the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve.

“The transfer of funds to the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve is an annual process based on Council Policy, which offsets any tax-supported operating deficits incurred in a year,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer. “With continued fiscal management, accountability, and transparency, we are pleased to be in a surplus position, which allows for the strengthening of this important Reserve, especially as we start to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.  With a solid financial position, City Administration will look to support core services, and continue to make important financial decisions throughout 2020.”

To reach a corporate surplus of $518,343, the Administration is recommending a transfer from the Snow and Ice Management Contingency Reserve be applied to the 2019 Snow and Ice Program deficit of $646,610. This would mitigate any mill rate impact and reinforce the City’s Fiscal Stabilization Reserve to a balance of $4,775,438, as at December 31, 2019. This transfer would create a 2019 year-end balance of $2,965,154 in the Snow and Ice Management Reserve.

“Last year, we had several variables in terms of weather extremes, which increased the need for more fleet vehicles on the roads, and overtime hours to keep roads safe and maintained for all residents,” says Tarasoff.

A report to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance details a 0.33%, or $1,708,242, favourable variance for revenue, while expenditures were overspent by 0.23% or $1,189,899, both marginally higher than budget resulting in the overall 0.10% surplus.

A summary of significant variances include:

Surpluses:

• Municipal Revenue Sharing Grants: $1.6 million surplus due to the revision of the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) formula that the Province of Saskatchewan tabled in its March 2019 Budget.
• General Revenues: $766,100 from higher than anticipated interest earnings, lease revenues, commission revenues, and returns on investments.

Deficits:

• Waste Handling Services: $1.3 million deficit due to a shortfall in Landfill revenue and increased expenditures in the Green Cart and Compost Depot programs.
• Parking Ticket Revenue: $802,500 deficit, mainly related to increased compliance, due to the ease of parking application technology.
• Snow and Ice Management: $646,610 deficit due to the number of extreme winter/icy conditions in early 2019, resulting in increased street sanding.
• Facilities Management: $459,900 deficit resulting from salary-related expenditure increases to standby and after-hours emergency response pay.
• Leisure Centres: $531,100 deficit as paid admissions experienced a decline in sales revenue partially due to temporary Leisure Centre closures.

Saskatoon Utility Results:

The following Utility surpluses and deficits have been transferred to or funded by the applicable stabilization reserve, as stipulated in Council Policy No. C03-003, Reserve for Future Expenditures:

• Saskatoon Light & Power - $1,071,307 million surplus
• Storm Water Management Utility - $747,250 surplus
• Waste Water Utility - $480,305 surplus
• Water Utility - $3,295,737 million deficit
• Waste Services Utility - $612,440 deficit

Saskatoon’s Boards Results:

The City’s Boards, including the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), all posted surpluses in 2019 with the exception of Remai Modern.

• SPS posted a surplus of $305,333 which is incorporated within the civic year-end results.
• SaskTel Centre has a preliminary surplus of $1,356,154 million.
• TCU Place has a preliminary surplus of $1,198,528 million.
• Remai Modern reported a $259,462 deficit. This amount has been included as part of the City’s year-end results within the Arts, Culture and Event Venues Business Line.

Both TCU Place and SaskTel Centre surpluses are held within their respective organizations and applied to their own stabilization reserves. These are not included within the City’s final year-end results.

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for additional information and finance-related reports.

Spring is a time for new beginnings, especially at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo). On March 21, 2020 the Zoo grew by eight hooves as it welcomed two baby Mouflon Sheep; one male and one female. The lambs have had their first checks and the mother is taking great care of them.

Mouflon Sheep are from the Middle East and found around eastern Iraq, Armenia and the Caucasus. They are listed as vulnerable, which means these two will help to conserve and promote the conservation of this important species.

To add to the celebrations, the Zoo has welcomed Jeffrey Mitchell as the new Zoo Manager.

“I’m so excited to be here at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo. I’m looking forward to helping the zoo grow and reach its potential,” says Mitchell. “The conservation and education that the zoo provides is second to none in Saskatoon and I am so excited to help show the community the amazing things we are accomplishing.”

Mitchell has over 20 years of experience in the zoo industry, including serving on several committees with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Jeff comes to the Zoo from the Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield, Illinois where he was serving in the role of Director. Mitchell previously worked at the Cincinnati Zoo, Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, and Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo.

We are constantly reassessing developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens, and how the City delivers public services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saskatoon Transit updates

As an added level of safety, mid-route bus cleaning has started during the day in the downtown terminal. Passengers will be required to exit the bus while all hard surfaces are wiped down.

Starting Thursday, April 2, Saskatoon Transit will not be entering the University of Saskatchewan campus until further notice. This applies to the transit stop in front of Place Riel. Visit saskatoontransit.ca for up-to-date information on off-campus routes, and pickup and drop-off locations around College Drive.

Residents are reminded to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and avoid non-essential travel. To avoid crowded buses, please consider travelling during off-peak times. Always maintain about a two-arms-length or 2-metre distance from other riders.

Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge Walkway Closed; University Bridge Walkways Open to One-way Pedestrian Traffic

In addition to the changes previously announced to the Traffic Bridge walkways and the CP Pedestrian Bridge, the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge walkway is now closed and the University Bridge walkways are now for one-way pedestrian traffic (one-side westbound and one-side eastbound). This will allow the practice of social/physical distancing of at least 2-metres (six feet) from others.

The City continues to review other bridge walkway and pedestrian overpasses, underpasses and tunnels. Crews will be posting signage on many of the pathways to remind people to respect social/physical distancing.

Zoo Season Pass Sales Temporarily Suspended

All 2020 Season Pass sales are temporarily suspended until further notice. Season Pass rates for 2020 will be re-evaluated once an opening date is determined. Refunds/credits will be available to customers who have already purchased a 2020 Zoo Season Pass. Details on the refund process will be available soon.

Thank you, Saskatoon for doing your part and maintaining physical distance to keep everyone safe.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19

The City continues to make changes with its work plan so that it can deliver core services and keep other municipal business moving forward.

“We are into week three of our lives being transformed as we work to protect our community from the COVID-19 virus.  I want to thank everyone for your efforts as we each take this on together,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.

“It is so important right now to continue being vigilant in our physical distancing efforts. We also need to make sure we are all doing what we can to support our local economy and ensuring we have the right programs and processes in place to protect the most vulnerable in our community. This will keep everyone safe.”

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson says the pandemic has flipped everyday-life on its head.

“We have not experienced anything like the COVID-19 pandemic in our lifetimes. The past weeks have been a steep learning curve. COVID-19 has tested nations, governments, companies and organizations in every sector around the world.”

One of the biggest challenges for the City Jorgenson says, has been adjusting many of its employees to work from home and implementing new safety precautions in work environments where people need to be on location offering core services to our community.

“Our core services like water, sewer, fire protection, and electrical services are in great shape and we have layers of redundancy and employee protection in place to ensure our staff remain safe,” he says. “The City plays a critical role in providing many core services to the citizens of Saskatoon and we are very fortunate to have terrific people working throughout our organization.”

A great example of dedicated civic staff Jorgenson says, is the team at Roadways, Fleet & Support who are out today responding to the freezing rain and snow. The freezing rain started around 4 a.m. and with proactive planning to ensure a good start, the team had twelve sanders out when the rain began.

“This was a great response as always, while simultaneously following new physical distancing and equipment cleaning procedures,” Jorgenson adds. “This is yet another example of the dedication and professionalism that we see daily from City staff, including those who provide critical equipment maintenance and repair services.”

The Director of Emergency Management Organization says she continues to plan with many community partners about who needs information to stay healthy. Pamela Goulden-McLeod says youth, in particular, are a key focus.

“We will all have to work together across all age and social groups to tackle the virus. As the details of cases in our city and province have shown, COVID-19 can affect anyone at any age.”

Jorgenson acknowledges it hasn’t been an easy process also recognizing Saskatoon residents are balancing the changes happening within and beyond their homes as well.   

“I want to thank the citizens of Saskatoon for their understanding and patience. To all the people who work for the City, I again want to say how pleased and proud I am of their dedication to keep our core services running smoothly through the worst of what may lay ahead.”

We are constantly reassessing developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens and how the City delivers public services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Property Tax

The City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your 2020 Property Tax payment.  On your notice, your 2020 Property Tax due date will still show as June 30, 2020.

However:

• The City is extending a three-month grace period to provide you with additional time to pay your 2020 Property Tax.
• You will not incur any late payment penalties on your 2020 Property Tax if you pay the full amount due by September 30, 2020.

TIPPS Customers

• If you are a TIPPS customer currently paying your 2020 Property Tax over 12-equal monthly installments, you may request to be removed from TIPPS at any time should you require immediate, short-term financial relief without incurring a penalty. Your full property tax amount will then be due by September 30, 2020. 

To cancel your participation in TIPPS:  Please contact us via email with your property roll#, address and ownership name and your request to be removed from TIPPS.

We would like to answer your property tax-related questions; we understand and will work with you. If you have further property tax-related questions, our Corporate Revenue Customer Service Representatives can assist you at 306-975-2400. 

Utility Services & Payments

The City will continue to bill for utility services as normal. However, to best serve customers in these extraordinary times, the City has made the following changes to current utility collections activities:

1. Utility disconnections due to arrears will be suspended until September 30, 2020;
2. Late payment charges will be suspended on all utility accounts until September 30, 2020; and
3. We will continue to generate utility bill reminders and other related notices for customers who are in arrears to keep them informed of their current situation.

These measures are aimed at providing financial relief for customers who may not be able to afford to pay their bills on time.  By suspending late payment charges, utility customers will have the option to delay bill payments without putting themselves in additional financial hardship. 

City staff will continue to work with utility customers about payment arrangements, so customers are not left in a difficult future financial situation. Delaying disconnections will help ensure that all homes have access to water, allowing for proper hand-washing and personal hygiene.
Have other utility-related questions? Please call our Revenue Customer Service Representatives at 306-975-2400. We understand and will work with you.

Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo

The Zoo will remain closed until further notice. During this closure, the Zoo Keepers will be on-site to ensure the health of our animals.

The park remains open, but the play structure is closed. Visitors must maintain a safe, two-metre (six feet) physical distance away from others in the park. Consider outings by yourself or with just one other person at the appropriate distance.

As a CAZA accredited Zoo, the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo will be reviewing all funding support options.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19