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City plans for growth with multi-year indicative budget

June 12, 2019 - 10:06am

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The City continues to roll-out steps in planning for the first multi-year budget for 2020 and 2021. The multi-year budget will provide greater certainty for residents about the future direction of property taxes, better alignment of the City’s longer-term goals and objectives, and improved financial stability, transparency and accountability.

Setting the municipal indicative property tax rate is a guideline and an important early step in the development of a business plan and budget. Setting an indicative rate gives City Council an opportunity to discuss budget priorities it wants to invest in.

“Prior to budget deliberations this fall, we’re now presenting a number of options to the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) on setting an appropriate indicative rate for this 2020/2021 budget cycle,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer. “Not only will this provide increased transparency surrounding the City’s budget process to residents, but it will give Administration the direction we need to further refine the budget including service level changes and initiatives aimed at achieving City Council’s Strategic Priorities.”

While the Administration is tabling this information with GPC at its meeting on Monday, June 17, 2019, detailed work will continue to refine the budget right up until budget deliberations at the end of November. 

Administration has prepared three property tax options for consideration by Committee, each with benefits and risks for City programs and services. Administration is currently projecting a 2.94% and 3.17% property tax increase required in 2020 and 2021 in order to maintain current service levels.

Option 1:

  • Target a property tax less than 3.94% and 4.17% for 2020 and 2021, which includes an additional 1.0% towards the city-wide organics program and the waste operations/landfill operating deficit and funding shortfall.
  • This option would require the Administration to reproduce a budget less than the current estimated cost to maintain existing services and implement the city-wide organics program phase-in.

Option 2:

  • The Administration is recommending a targeted property tax increase equal to 3.94% and 4.17% in 2020 and 2021 which includes an additional 1.0% towards the city-wide organics program and the waste operations/landfill operating deficit and funding shortfall.
  • This option would require the Administration to proceed with the current estimated costs to maintain existing services as well as continued implementation of the city-wide organics program phase-in. 

Option 3:

  • Target a property tax higher than 3.94% and 4.17% for 2020 and 2021, which includes an additional 1.0% towards the city-wide organics program and the waste operations/landfill operating deficit and funding shortfall.
  • This option would provide sufficient funding to maintain existing service levels, continue the phase-in of the city-wide organics program and leave funding for the implementation of other initiatives to achieve other City Council Strategic Priorities.

“Balancing property taxes, service level changes, our Strategic Goals and City Council’s Strategic Priorities is always difficult, however, we believe we’ve provided Committee with a full picture of the City’s financial projections and their available options for 2020 and 2021,” Tarasoff says.

Report Highlights:

  • Administration anticipates a total revenue increase of $22.66 million for 2020/2021, mainly comprised of user fees, internal and external revenues and property tax growth.
  • The City’s 2020/2021 budget forecasts increased expenditures of approximately $28.70 million, or 7.08% over 2019.
  • Saskatoon Police Service currently estimates a total of $8.86 million in growth and inflationary pressures for 2020/2021.
  • For the purposes of the 2020/2021 Indicative Budget Report and associated options, a 1.00% property tax change has been estimated to be equivalent to $2.44 million.

The indicative rate decision is a guideline for the rest of the year. City Council has the opportunity to set the final budget and associated municipal property tax rate through the 2020/2021 multi-year budget deliberations at the end of November 2019.

For more information on the City’s multi-year budget, visit saskatoon.ca/budget.

City Park, Riversdale focus of 2019 water & sewer upgrades

May 29, 2019 - 9:20am

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The City continues to replace the water and sewer lines in two of Saskatoon’s oldest neighbourhoods. This year, the priority is the City Park and Riversdale neighbourhoods where work has been underway for a few weeks.

“The water and sewer lines in these neighbourhoods are about 100 years old,” says Matt Jurkiewicz (yurr-KEV’-ich), Interim Director, Construction and Design. “The replacement projects include upgrading the pipes and also replacing the lead connections to homes that are also outdated.”

Work began in the City Park neighbourhood during the 2018 construction season. In Riversdale, this is the first of a two-year water and sewer upgrade. Phasing the work over a few construction seasons ensures the work is not spread across the entire neighbourhood at once, containing most of the construction to one area at a time.

“We appreciate the cooperation and patience of residents affected by the work, which once complete, will have several benefits,” Jurkiewicz says “They’ll experience improved water pressure once the new lines are in and water main breaks will be less likely during the winter.”

Other benefits include the restoration of streets where work is taking place, resulting in new driving surfaces and in some locations, new or rehabilitated sidewalks.

Earlier this year, the City’s Construction and Design team held open houses in both neighbourhoods and regularly distributes project updates to affected residents to outline the latest project details and timelines. Information is also available online at Saskatoon.ca/watermain.

The 2019 portion of water and sewer infrastructure upgrades in City Park and Riversdale is expected to wrap up by the end of October or before the first significant snowfall.

City-wide on-street parking limit now 72 hours

May 27, 2019 - 10:11am

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At its meeting today, City Council approved Bylaw No. 9572, The Traffic Amendment Bylaw, 2019 that increases the city-wide on-street parking limit from 36 hours to 72 hours, except as otherwise indicated by a sign or provided for in the bylaw.

This Amendment does not change the requirements for recreational vehicles or parking restrictions for street maintenance.  Recreational vehicles will continue to have a 36-hour restriction and then must not park on a city street for at least 48 hours.

Parking restrictions for street maintenance will continue to be marked with signs posted 36 hours in advance of street sweeping, construction, snow clearing and other similar activities. 

For more information on Parking in Saskatoon, please visit saskatoon.ca/parking. 

Canada makes major investment to help protect Saskatoon residents from flooding

May 24, 2019 - 5:32am

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Now more than ever, communities need help adapting to the frequent and intensifying weather events caused by climate change. Reducing the impact of natural disasters such as flooding is critical to keeping Canadian families safe, protecting local businesses and supporting a strong economy and the middle class.

Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, announced funding for a Flood Control Strategy in Saskatoon.

The Flood Control Strategy involves building new storm water infrastructure—including dry ponds, underground storage and additional storm water pipes—in Saskatoon’s older neighbourhoods to improve the City’s capacity to  manage increasingly extreme weather events. 

The City of Saskatoon estimates that once completed, this work will better protect over 1,200 residents and their properties from future flooding events.

The Government of Canada is contributing $21.6 million to the Flood Control Strategy through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund. The total project cost is $54 million. 

“Extreme weather is becoming more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive because of climate change," says the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. "By investing in the infrastructure that protects our neighbourhoods, businesses, and families, we are building communities that can withstand future natural disasters and thrive for generations to come.

“The Flood Control Strategy will increase capacity to handle extreme flooding anticipated with climate change," says Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. "This funding support will allow us to prepare some of our heaviest hit areas, providing peace of mind for residents – many of whom have already experienced devastating loss due to flooding.”

Quick facts

  • The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a $2-billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes and droughts. 

  • DMAF is part of the federal government’s Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, which is providing more than $180 billion over 12 years for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities.

  • Investing in green infrastructure that helps communities cope with the intensifying effects of climate change is an integral part of Canada’s transition to a more resilient, low-carbon economy, which is among the commitments made under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. 

  • Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class, is the government’s plan to create more good well-paying jobs, put homeownership within reach of more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors, and lay the foundation for national pharmacare. 

  • With many municipalities across Canada facing serious infrastructure deficits, Budget 2019 proposes a one-time transfer of $2.2 billion through the federal Gas Tax Fund to address short-term priorities in municipalities and First Nations communities.

Canada and Saskatchewan support water and wastewater infrastructure improvements to strengthen local communities

May 24, 2019 - 5:25am

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Investing in local water and wastewater systems is key to improving people’s quality of life, protecting waterways and positioning communities for growth.

Today, Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Saskatoon Westview MLA David Buckingham on behalf of Saskatchewan Government Relations Minister Warren Kaeding, announced funding for three new water and wastewater projects in the province.

In Saskatoon, drinking water storage capacity will be increased and a wastewater treatment plant will be upgraded.  In west-central Saskatchewan, a water distribution system will be created in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Snipe Lake and the RM of Newcombe, which includes upgrading the water treatment plant in Eston.

The Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan are each contributing more than $30.4 million to the three projects through the New Building Canada Fund.  Recipients are responsible for remaining costs.

“Modern efficient water and wastewater infrastructure is essential to safeguarding the well-being of our families and building the Canada we want for tomorrow,” said Goodale.  “By investing in projects such as these in Saskatchewan, we are helping close the gaps in services and ensuring everyone has access to safe reliable drinking water for years to come.”

“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to be investing more than $30.4 million toward these three projects in our province,” Buckingham said.  “These will help position these communities for growth, enhance their key infrastructure, and improve the quality of life.”

“We’re investing in critical infrastructure we need to serve new communities and continue to provide reliable and safe water and wastewater services,” City of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said.  “Thank you to our federal and provincial partners for investing with us for a sustainable future.”

“We are very appreciative of the support this project has received from the federal and provincial governments,” RM of Snipe Lake Reeve and Chair of the Rural 44 Water Pipeline Utility Bill Owens said.  “Their contributions allow us to provide a safe, secure and sustainable water supply for rural and urban residents.”

Quick facts:

  • Budget 2019, Investing in the middle class, is the Government of Canada’s plan to create more good well-paying jobs, put homeownership within reach of more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors, and lay the foundation for national pharmacare.
  • Announcements in Budget 2019 build on the government’s Investing in Canada Plan, under which the government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years to build infrastructure in communities across the country.
  • $26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
  • Since 2016, the Government of Canada has approved close to 180 new water and wastewater projects across Saskatchewan.
  • With many municipalities across Canada facing serious infrastructure deficits, Budget 2019 proposes a one-time transfer of $2.2 billion through the federal Gas Tax Fund to address short-term priorities in municipalities and First Nations communities.

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