News Releases

For Release: September 29, 2014 

Saskatoon ranks among Canadian cities with the lowest property tax rates, despite a recent article in the Huffington Post (September 29, 2014) that says Saskatoon “…had the dubious honour of having the highest average property tax among major cities in Canada - $4440 by our calculations.” The City wants to take the opportunity to publicly correct this misinformation regarding the calculation of Saskatoon’s property tax rates.

“The Huffington Post article calculates property tax rates using a biased approach,” says City Assessor Les Smith. “Taking the total property value and multiplying it by the tax rate – without considering other unique factors that go into a residential property tax calculation is misleading.”

Smith says simply comparing property tax dollars per assessment is an incorrect approach to take. This assumes that the sale prices in one city for a particular house are the same as in another city. This method of calculation also assumes that the make-up of the property inventory in one city is the same as another and that the services supplied are the same as well.

The facts are that municipal property tax and assessment processes are set out by provincial legislation. To compare tax rates without considering the different legislative frameworks set out by each province, results in figures that are not truly comparable in terms of highest and lowest in Canada. Comparing taxes per capita is simpler and removes potential bias from other approaches.

“The City supplies services to people. It is people who use the parks, drive on roads, use water and use the civic facilities.  As we supply services to people, the measurement that best reflects this, is the per- capita measure. It is completely unbiased, it does not require anyone to determine what is a representative house or housing types.”

The Municipal Tax Calculation in Saskatchewan is as follows: Taxable Assessment x Municipal Mill Rate x Mill Rate Factor. In Saskatchewan, the taxable assessment is 70% of the assessed value of the property.

In comparison, the Municipal Tax Calculation in Alberta is simply the Tax Rate multiplied by 100% of the assessed value. The Municipal Tax Calculation in Winnipeg is similar to the process used in Saskatchewan, except that (a) the taxable assessment is 45% of assessed value and (b) there is no mill rate factor. Manitoba’s formula is as follows:  Portioned Assessment Value x Municipal Mill Rate/ 1000.

In Saskatchewan, property assessments are updated every four years. The last reassessment cycle was in 2013 and reflects a property’s fair market value as of January 1, 2011.

The City of Saskatoon is open, accountable and transparent. Property taxes collected are used for the delivery of key civic services.  For more information about property taxes and how they are calculated, visit the Property Assessment & Tax Tool located on the homepage at www.saskatoon.ca

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

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For September 29, 2014

8.2.1 Designation of Hyde Park Off-Leash Recreation Area and amendment to the Animal Control Bylaw No. 7860 (p. 3)

Council will be asked to:

*Request that the City Solicitor prepare the necessary amendments to Bylaw No. 7860, establishing 4.1 acres within Hyde Park as a designated Off-Leash Recreation Area.

8.4.1 Inquiry – Councillor Z. Jeffries (June 23, 2014) – Installation of Bidirectional Electricity Meters for New Building Construction (p. 4)

Council will be asked to receive the information.

Additional Information:

*All new residential meters are bidirectional.

*New commercial and industrial meters can be ordered as bidirectional.

*Reverse power flow from customers serviced from the 600 volt downtown network is not permissible.

*The Power Corporation Act governs the purchase and sale of electricity for SaskPower customers in Saskatoon.

8.6.1 Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (p. 6)

City council will be asked to:

*Direct the City Solicitor to apply to the Ministry of Government Relations for the Province of Saskatchewan to be designated as Eligible Assistance Area under the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program as a result of damages caused by excessive rain occurring in the period of June 14th-22nd, 2014.

8.8.1 Persephone Theatre Property Tax Abatement *Request to Speak from Jennifer Pereira, Chair, Persephone Theatre Board of Directors (p. 6)

City Council will be asked to:

*Hear Jennifer Pereira, Chair, Persephone Theatre Board of Directors

*Approve a full (100%) property tax abatement to Persephone Theatre through the Culture Grant Program for a five-year period.

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For Release: September 26, 2014

Before the City began negotiations on a new pension deal, the 2012 funding status of the General Pension Plan showed an approximate $68M deficiency or deficit; that has now been eliminated following changes to the Plan enacted by City Council Monday September 22, 2014.

“If the City had done nothing, a 2012 valuation would have been filed showing a $68M deficit and taxpayers would have been responsible for paying it off,” says Marno McInnes, Director of Human Resources.

“We would have had to make special payments that would have been in the neighbourhood of $9M every year; that’s a lot of paved road, repaired water mains and leisure programming that wouldn’t be done – just dollars out the door.”

However, with much hard work and with everyone all working together at the same table, the City and eight of the nine unions in the Plan agreed with the changes.  The deficit reduced to approximately $6.7M, which remained as a result of the Transit union rejecting the changes and opting instead to push for the unaffordable old plan for its members.

“Now, because Council passed the bylaw Monday and everyone – including the Transit union – is under the new pension plan deal, there no longer is any deficit in the plan for the 2012 valuation,” McInnes says.

NEW SATURDAY
20TH ST E CLOSED EB & WB FROM IDYLWYLD DR S TO AVE E S
(Nuit Blanche)
Start: September 27, 5:00 p.m. End: September 28, 2:00 a.m.

NEW SUNDAY

CIRCLE DR OVER IDYLWYLD DR OVERPASS ONE LANE CLOSED
(Microsurfacing/seal coating)
Start: September 28, 6:00 a.m. End: September 28, 3:00 p.m.

51ST ST OVER IDYLWYLD DR OVERPASS ONE LANE CLOSED
(Microsurfacing/seal coating)
Start: September 28, 6:00 a.m. End: September 28, 3:00 p.m.

MCKERCHER DR OVER COLLEGE DRIVE OVERPASS ONE LANE CLOSED
(Microsurfacing/seal coating)
Start: September 28, 6:00 a.m. End: September 28, 3:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 12TH ST & 11TH ST
(Utility maintenance)
Start: September 28, 7:00 a.m. End: September 28, 6:00 p.m.

3RD AVE NB CLOSED FROM 20TH ST TO 21ST ST
(Connection valve repairs)
Start: September 28, 7:00 a.m. End: September 28, 6:00 p.m.

8TH ST EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT GOODWIN AVE
(Asphalt work)
Start: September 28, 8:00 a.m. End: September 28, 12:00 p.m.
ONGOING
11TH ST W CLOSED FROM HIGHWAY 7 TO CHAPPELL DR
(Patch paving)
Sections of the road will be closed for patch paving. Access to businesses will be maintained.
Start: September 23, 9:00 a.m. End: October 14, 6:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB CLOSED FROM 110TH ST W TO GRAY AVE
(Phase 3: Streetscaping)
NB traffic accommodated in SB lanes. SB traffic detoured via Egbert Ave & Bryans Ave  
Start: September 23, 7:00 a.m. End: October 5, 6:00 p.m.
TAYLOR ST E CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water Main Lining)
Start: September 8, 8:00 a.m. End: October 8, 7:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST TO 24TH ST
(Streetscaping)
Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB maintained
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: September 26, 6:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic accommodated in WB lanes
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 26, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

NEW
33RD ST WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN AVE P & EDMONTON AVE
(Concrete work)
Start: September 29, 8:00 a.m. End: October 1, 6:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN PRESTON AVE & 108TH ST
(Paving)
108th St off-ramp closed. Speed limit reduced to 60 km/h
Start: September 29, 10:30 a.m. End: September 29, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
11TH ST W CLOSED FROM HIGHWAY 7 TO CHAPPELL DR
(Patch paving)
Sections of the road will be closed for patch paving. Access to businesses & compost depot will be maintained.
Start: September 23, 9:00 a.m. End: October 14, 6:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB CLOSED FROM 110TH ST W TO GRAY AVE
(Phase 3: Streetscaping)
NB traffic accommodated in SB lanes. SB traffic detoured via Egbert Ave & Bryans Ave  
Start: September 23, 7:00 a.m. End: October 5, 6:00 p.m.

UPDATE: IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST TO 24TH ST
(Streetscaping)
Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB maintained
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: October 3, 6:00 p.m.
TAYLOR ST E CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water Main Lining)
Start: September 8, 8:00 a.m. End: October 8, 7:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

As part of the City of Saskatoon’s 2014 Road Preservation and Rehabilitation Program crews have begun microsurfacing 65 lane kilometres of roadway, mostly on residential streets.

Microsurfacing, also known as seal coating, adds a thin protective layer of asphalt blended with finely crushed stone to the surface. This provides an extra layer of wear, seals the underlying asphalt and extends the life of the roadway.

“Similar to sealing your deck, microsurfacing or seal coating creates a protective layer which preserves the underlying structure and prevents the need for more expensive repairs in the future,” says Chris Hallam Director of Construction and Design. “This is a preventative treatment applied to roads that are structurally sound and in fair condition to improve minor defects and to seal and protect the roadway until an asphalt resurfacing treatment is feasible or required.”

When first applied, the microsurfacing has a rough and grainy texture and is brownish in colour. However, within a short period of time, as vehicles drive on the road it quickly wears smooth and the colour fades to blend with the existing roadway.

“We have received a few concerns from citizens about the look and apparent quality of the road treatment when it is first applied; while we recognize it is not as aesthetically pleasing as new asphalt, it is the most cost-effective way to preserve the roads,” says Hallam. “Regular preventative maintenance is key to maintaining the road network into the future.”

While the work is carried out the road is closed for approximately 24 hours. The program is expected to be complete mid-October, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances. Residents along a road receiving this preventative treatment will be notified with a letter before the work begins.

For up-to-date information on these and other road restrictions, use our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map at Saskatoon.ca/go/maps or click on Building Better Roads at saskatoon.ca.

Overall, the City has completed 75 per cent of the 2014 Road Rehabilitation and Preservation Program to date.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

NEW
8TH ST EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CIRCLE D TO MALL ENTRANCE
(Light pole work)
Start: September 26, 9:00 a.m. End: September 26, 1:00 p.m.
ONGOING
CENTRAL AVE NB CLOSED FROM 110TH ST W TO GRAY AVE
(Phase 3: Streetscaping)
NB traffic accommodated in SB lanes. SB traffic detoured via Egbert Ave & Bryans Ave  
Start: September 23, 7:00 a.m. End: October 5, 6:00 p.m.
11TH ST W CLOSED FROM HIGHWAY 7 TO CHAPPELL DR
(Patch paving)
Sections of the road will be closed for patch paving. Access to businesses will be maintained.
Start: September 23, 9:00 a.m. End: October 14, 6:00 p.m.
TAYLOR ST E CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water Main Lining)
Start: September 8, 8:00 a.m. End: October 8, 7:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST TO 24TH ST
(Streetscaping)
Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB maintained
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: September 26, 6:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic accommodated in WB lanes
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 26, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

NEW
2ND AVE SB CLOSED FROM 24TH ST TO 23RD ST
(SL&P vault work)
Start: September 25, 9:00 a.m. End: September 25, 12:00 p.m.

24TH ST EB CURB LANE FROM 4TH AVE TO 5TH AVE (Sidewalk Replacement)
Start: September 25, 9:00 a.m. End: September 26, 6:00 p.m.

ONGOING

CENTRAL AVE NB FROM 110TH ST W TO GRAY AVE
(Phase 3: Streetscaping)
NB traffic accommodated in SB lanes. SB traffic detoured via Egbert Ave & Bryans Ave  
Start: September 23, 7:00 a.m. End: October 5, 6:00 p.m.
11TH ST W CLOSED FROM HIGHWAY 7 TO CHAPPELL DR
(Patch paving)
Sections of the road will be closed for patch paving. Access to businesses will be maintained.
Start: September 23, 9:00 a.m. End: October 14, 6:00 p.m.
IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST TO 24TH ST
(Streetscaping)
Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB maintained
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: September 26, 6:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic accommodated in WB lanes
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 26, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

NEW
CIRCLE DR EB RAMP TO WARMAN RD SB CLOSED
(Road Repair)
Use Quebec Ave
Start: September 24, 9:00 a.m. End: September 24, 5:00 p.m.
24TH ST E EB LANE CLOSED FROM 4TH AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(Sidewalk Repair)
Start: September 24, 9:00 a.m. End: September 25, 6:00 p.m.
23RD ST E BOTH LANES CLOSED FROM 4TH AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(Connection Repair)
Start: September 24, 9:00 a.m. End: September 24, 6:00 p.m.
OVERNIGHT: CIRCLE DR E SB CURB LANE FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO COLLEGE DR
(Road paving)
Start: September 24, 7:00 p.m. End: September 25, 7:00 a.m.
ONGOING

CENTRAL AVE NB CLOSED FROM 110TH ST W TO GRAY AVE
(Phase 3: Streetscaping)
NB traffic accommodated in SB lanes. SB traffic detoured via Egbert Ave & Bryans Ave. 115th St & Egbert Ave 3-way stop.
Start: September 23, 7:00 a.m. End: October 5, 6:00 p.m.

11TH ST W CLOSED FROM HIGHWAY 7 TO CHAPPELL DR
(Patch paving)
Sections of the road will be closed for patch paving. Access to businesses will be maintained.
Start: September 23, 9:00 a.m. End: October 14, 6:00 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E CLOSED FROM 21ST ST E TO 20TH ST E
(Storm Sewer Installation)
Start: September 22, 7:30 a.m. End: September 23, 6:00 p.m.
20TH ST W EB & WB CURB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE E S TO AVE F S
(Streetscaping)
Start: September 16, 9:00 a.m. End: September 23, 6:00 p.m.
TAYLOR ST E EB&WB FROM MUNROE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water Main Lining)
Start: September 8, 8:00 a.m. End: October 8, 7:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST TO 24TH ST
(Streetscaping)
Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB maintained
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: September 26, 6:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 26, 6:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Transit operations have been cancelled and no regular buses are running. We are hopeful that the current situation is short-term and will be resolved soon.

We recognize the labour disruption is an inconvenience for our transit customers.  As a result, the City will be providing refunds/extensions to all pass holders, including Upass and EcoPass customers. 

We are currently developing a plan for effectively and efficiently managing refunds/extensions for the large number of pass holders; each type of pass has unique requirements. 

We will provide the public with more information on the plans for refunds/extensions early next week.

As an essential service, Access Transit is not affected by this labour disruption.  Access Transit passes are available for sale and customers can book and ride as normal.

Thank you for your patience.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.