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Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Targeted financial plan & use of reserves recommended to offset 2021 preliminary deficit
April 6, 2022 - 10:25am
- $3.71 million from the reallocation of Canada Community Building Funds originally put into contingency for this specific purpose;
- $1.72 million through a one-time increase from the Water Utility Return on Investment (ROI); and
- $1.11 million to be transferred from the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve.
- Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P) reported a surplus of $4.49 million.
- Saskatoon Water reported a year-end surplus of $3.63 million.
- Wastewater Utility reported a year-end surplus of $2.74 million.
- Storm Water Management Utility reported a year-end surplus of $345,485.
- Waste Services Utility reported a year-end surplus of $1.04 million.
- the Police Board was under budget by $860,000, this is included in the preliminary year-end deficit.
- SaskTel Centre and TCU Place posted preliminary deficits of $3.96 million and $3.37 million respectively, to be balanced through contributions from their facility and capital reserves.
- Remai Modern posted a preliminary surplus of $310,526.
The City of Saskatoon has released its 2021 preliminary year-end financials showing a $6.54 million deficit in the civic operating programs and a $12.25 million surplus in the utility programs, before year-end audit confirmation.
Although last year brought ongoing change and uncertainty, the City remained dedicated to the delivery of core services residents rely on while continuing to find corporate-wide savings and reduce overall spending. Through the saving strategy, the City reduced training budgets and carefully examined discretionary spending to help make up for reduced revenue and other budget pressures arising from the pandemic. Fuel savings also helped reduce the deficit.
Under provincial law, municipalities are not allowed to operate with a deficit. On April 12, 2022, the City Administration will present a report to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance (7.2.4) that sets out the City’s financial strategy to offset this deficit.
“The preliminary $6.54 million deficit represents a variance of just over one per cent from the City’s overall Civic Operating Budget of $546.6 million,” says Director of Finance, Kari Smith. “Our shortfall is largely the result of snow & ice removal costs resulting from the November 2020 blizzard, higher than anticipated Information Technology costs, and lower than budgeted operating revenues. I’m confident in the well-laid financial plan and strategy Administration is recommending to address the preliminary deficit, and importantly, it won’t impact our future service delivery to residents.”
The Administration is recommending the deficit of $6.54 million be funded by:
“While the City has continued to face significant non-tax revenue challenges in user fees and our other forms of revenue have remained flat or decreased year over year, it is important to recognize that several of our businesses also achieved surpluses in 2022 including Saskatoon Light & Power and Saskatoon Water,” Smith says.
2021 Preliminary Year-end Yields Surplus Utility-Related Results
In addition to the utility posted surpluses:
The City’s Financial Position Remains Future Healthy
The City’s overall and future financial standing continues to be strong and sound, having its ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating reaffirmed by S&P Global in January 2022. In planning for a bright and sustainable future, the City is committed to finding year-over-year increased operational efficiencies, creating greater savings across the organization and recovering from the financial impact of COVID-19.
The external audit of the 2021 financial statements is expected to be completed in June 2022. Following the external audit, the audited financial statements will be presented to City Council for approval. At that time, the year-end financial results will be confirmed or adjusted based on the recommendations of the external audit and presented in the 2021 Annual Report later this year.
Roof Repaired on 137-year-old Marr Residence
April 1, 2022 - 10:00am
The roof of the 137-year-old Marr Residence was replaced after a leak was identified in 2020. City Council approved a plan to use the capital expenditures reserve, grant funding from the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation, as well as donations from the public to fund the repairs and build capital for any future maintenance of the building.
“The generous donations and support from the public and the grant from the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation were essential to the successful completion of this project,” says Troy LaFreniere, Director of Facilities Management. “The oldest building in Saskatoon on it’s original site, an important heritage site for our community can continue to be maintained for many years to come for residents of Saskatoon and visitors to enjoy.”
The entire roof of the Marr Residence was removed and replaced as well as replacement and repair of rotten wood, soffit and facia. The roof was rebuilt to match the prior structure to maintain the character and heritage of the building. The total cost of the project was $88,689. With the new roof, the building remains in a good state of repair.
“We’re so grateful for the generosity of all those who have donated to the project as the Marr Residence is a piece of history in our City and such an important part of Saskatoon’s story,” says Della Marshall, volunteer board chair for the Marr Residence. “We welcome everyone back to the house.”
City unveils new and improved Boulevard Garden guidelines
March 31, 2021 - 4:30pm
- Photos and diagrams have been added for easy understanding. Readers will also find clear information on how far their gardens need to be from trees and streets.
- Temporary raised beds and other moveable containers/structures are now permitted during the gardening season, but must be removed by October 15th.
Saskatoon’s Boulevard Garden guidelines have been refreshed and are now available on the City’s website. Accompanying the Guidelines is a proposed expansion of the program to additional spaces, such as centre medians, which will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services on April 6, 2021.
“The updates to the guidelines will provide more clarity, encourage residents to join the program, and ensure fairness among neighbours and gardeners,” explains Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “Gardening can reduce stress, provide food for ourselves or for pollinators, and is an outdoor activity that can be done alone or distanced, which is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she adds.
Two noteworthy updates to the guidelines include:
Earlier this year, public engagement was conducted and two online surveys were completed by more than 1,800 residents. The response to the surveys indicated a very high interest in gardening on additional public land, not just boulevards. Because of this, the option to expand to centre medians and assess additional opportunities for expansion is being presented to the Committee on April 6.
The updated guidelines reflect safety, maintenance, and community stewardship throughout and can be found at: saskatoon.ca/boulevardgardens.
Climate Action Progress Report measures City’s progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions
March 31, 2021 - 4:00pm
- The Home Energy Loan Program will enable Saskatoon residents to invest in energy improvements for their homes, while saving money, reducing GHGs, and stimulating our economy.
- The Bus Rapid Transit initiative, once built, will make it easier for Saskatoon residents to get around using Transit and reduce transportation-related emissions.
- A feasibility study is underway for a utility-scale solar facility and, if the results of the study indicate it will be effective, is expected to be constructed within the next year. This will generate renewable energy and offset community electricity use.
- An electric vehicle pilot project is underway to test the effectiveness of electric vehicles for the City’s fleet.
A report headed to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services will outline the advances the City has made toward greater sustainability and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Climate Action Plan: Progress Report 2020 (2020 Progress Report) will be presented to the committee on April 6, 2021. It is a culmination of progress that has been made on the Climate Action Plan, which includes The Low Emissions Community Plan and the Corporate Climate Adaptation Strategy.
“This report summarizes Saskatoon’s GHG emissions from 2019 and tracks the progress of the LEC and Adaptation actions that started in 2020,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “While it’s too early to see significant greenhouse gas reductions, it’s important to stress that these first steps, including strategies, feasibility studies, and pilots, lay the groundwork to increase future emissions savings.”
According to the report, emissions belonging to the City have increased, while Saskatoon’s overall community emissions have decreased. The LEC Plan is a 30-year roadmap with 40 actions and was received by Council in late 2019. The 2020 Progress Report finds that some actions have progressed as scheduled, while others are not yet meeting the pace set in the plan.
Angela Gardiner, General Manager of Utilities & Environment, says it will take a bit of time before more benefits are noticeable. “While we have a number of initiatives under way or in early development, the results won't be seen until they are fully implemented. For example, Saskatoon Light & Power is replacing streetlight fixtures with LED technology. To date the project has realized savings of 179 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions with estimated savings of 5,500 tonnes annually once all 17,000 fixtures have been replaced.”
A few more initiatives that are underway, but haven’t yet shown their impact include:
The report also provides an update on progress made towards the actions identified in the Corporate Climate Adaptation Strategy, that relate directly to initiatives the City of Saskatoon should implement to improve its resiliency to the impacts of a changing climate.
For more information, or to view the 2020 Progress Report, please visit: saskatoon.ca/climatechange.
Council lifts mask requirement for City facilities, maintains masks for Transit
March 28, 2022 - 10:58am
City Council continues to guide the City of Saskatoon’s response to COVID-19 in the community to protect the health and safety of residents and customers, following the provincial government's previous decision to lift provincial Public Health Orders.
At its meeting today, City Council considered a monthly COVID-19 update on masking in City facilities and Saskatoon Transit. Council approved a transition from a mandatory to discretionary approach for masking in City facilities. As noted in the February 8, 2022 City Council resolution, the City extended the masking requirement in City facilities beyond the expiration of the Public Health Order as a temporary measure to help transition the community to a new COVID-19 environment.
As of Monday, April 4, people accessing City facilities, including City Hall, Leisure Centres, indoor arenas, golf course buildings, indoor spaces at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo and the downtown Saskatoon Transit Customer Service Centre are no longer required to wear a face mask. Masks are welcome and will be available upon request.
Masks will continue to be required when travelling on Saskatoon Transit vehicles. Mask education will continue with riders through signage and interior and exterior audible announcements on each bus. Masks will continue to be made available to Transit customers.
The Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization continues to monitor the COVID-19 impacts on City staff and services in accordance with the COVID-19 Response Levels. A monthly update will be presented at the next meeting of City Council in April.
For the latest updates, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19.