News Releases

The City of Saskatoon is committed to being more accountable, transparent, and efficient in the management and allocation of its key priorities and financial resources. First quarter projected results for the City of Saskatoon’s 2015 Corporate Business Plan and Budget: Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage, as of March 31, 2015 forecast a net deficit of $1.043 million. It is cautioned that this is still an early projection and subject to substantial variance as the remainder of the year proceeds. The Administration will be taking all reasonable measures to bring in a balanced budget at year-end.

“This projected deficit is early in the fiscal year and open to many variables that can change over the course of the year.  It is based on the information we have to the end of the first quarter,” says CFO, Kerry Tarasoff.  “By examining our numbers now, we can identify solutions to recover costs and eliminate a deficit before year-end.”

“Much of this first quarter projected deficit can be linked to costs for increased street sweeping in the Business Improvement Districts and the industrial areas, as well as a revenue reduction from a decrease in Transit ridership, that compounded by a shift to discounted bus passes from regular fares,” Tarasoff says. 

Following is a brief summary of the main issues contributing to the projected variance; full details can be found in the Administrative Report, page 96.

Transportation is projecting a $2.16 million deficit due to unfavourable variance in Snow Removal ($0.461 million), Street Cleaning ($0.519 million) and Transit Operations ($1.17 million).  The Snow Removal deficit can be offset by its stabilization reserve however the deficit in this program as well as the street cleaning deficit will be managed through reductions in overtime and by closely managing contracts to bring costs within budget. The Transit division will be focusing on continued cost control efforts, and a targeted marketing plan related to the University Bridge Closure to help offset the current projection.

While Utilities are projecting a $1.475 million deficit, this will be offset by $0.675 million from a corresponding Stabilization Reserve.  The remaining deficit of $0.775 million will be offset by reducing a corresponding transfer to the Landfill Replacement Reserve in the Environmental Services Division.

An anticipated surplus in Taxation and General Revenues of $1.065 million is helping reduce the overall deficit. This surplus is attributable to increased payments from the Provincial utility franchise fees.   

Quarterly status updates on the City’s Corporate Business Plan and Budget help to ensure that City Council and the Administration are aware of emerging Business Plan and Budget issues and challenges, so they can react accordingly. Providing quarterly reports helps the City to mitigate any financial or corporate risks that may result from unplanned events, or new challenges that may emerge throughout 2015.

The City is committed to the Strategic Goals of Continuous Improvement, and Asset and Financial Sustainability, and dedicated to: creating a more visible budget process; reducing revenue reliance on the property tax; providing financial information frequently and earlier so City Council can make informed decisions; and planning opportunities for residents to have their say in shaping the 2016 budget and Saskatoon’s financial future.

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

The Precautionary Evacuation Notice following the clean-up of the hydrochloric acid spill that occurred Friday morning on 50^th Street East between Cleveland and Wentz Avenue, has been lifted.

The Saskatoon Fire Department, the Ministry of Environment, the Emergency Response Team and a private contractor worked to neutralize the spill, which had the potential to produce a toxic gas. As a precautionary measure, the notice was issued and businesses to the north and west of the spill were asked to shut down and dismiss employees. Further clean-up of the site is ongoing.

The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to the chemical spill at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, May 15. Three fire engines as well as the Hazmat and Decon trailers responded.

The Saskatoon Fire Department reminds everyone of the importance of following advice given by emergency services to ensure their own safety. If you have questions about the safety in your business area, please call the Saskatoon Fire Department at 306-975-3030.

The Precautionary Evacuation Notice following the clean-up of the hydrochloric acid spill that occurred Friday morning on 50^th Street East between Cleveland and Wentz Avenue, has been lifted.

The Saskatoon Fire Department, the Ministry of Environment, the Emergency Response Team and a private contractor worked to neutralize the spill, which had the potential to produce a toxic gas. As a precautionary measure, the notice was issued and businesses to the north and west of the spill were asked to shut down and dismiss employees. Further clean-up of the site is ongoing.

The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to the chemical spill at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, May 15. Three fire engines as well as the Hazmat and Decon trailers responded.

The Saskatoon Fire Department reminds everyone of the importance of following advice given by emergency services to ensure their own safety. If you have questions about the safety in your business area, please call the Saskatoon Fire Department at 306-975-3030.

Emergency crews remain on scene dealing with the hydrochloric acid spill that occurred this morning on 50^th Street East between Cleveland and Wentz Avenue.

The Saskatoon Fire Department, the Ministry of Environment, the emergency response team and a private contractor are working to neutralize the spilled hydrochloric acid. This clean-up process may produce a toxic gas. As a precautionary measure, businesses to the north and west of the spill are being asked to shut down and dismiss employees.

Plume modelling has been utilized to determine the area that needs to be evacuated. Plume modelling takes into consideration wind speed, whether there is a high or low pressure system in the area, the vapour density of the product and the natural terrain of the area. The Saskatoon Fire Department and the Saskatoon Police Service are going door to door to ask a small number of businesses in the affected area to leave as soon as possible. Notifynow, Saskatoon’s emergency notification system, has been used to contact affected businesses and residents.

Emergency crews remain on scene dealing with the hydrochloric acid spill that occurred this morning on 50^th Street East between Cleveland and Wentz Avenue.

The Saskatoon Fire Department, the Ministry of Environment, the emergency response team and a private contractor are working to neutralize the spilled hydrochloric acid. This clean-up process may produce a toxic gas. As a precautionary measure, businesses to the north and west of the spill are being asked to shut down and dismiss employees.

Plume modelling has been utilized to determine the area that needs to be evacuated. Plume modelling takes into consideration wind speed, whether there is a high or low pressure system in the area, the vapour density of the product and the natural terrain of the area. The Saskatoon Fire Department and the Saskatoon Police Service are going door to door to ask a small number of businesses in the affected area to leave as soon as possible. Notifynow, Saskatoon’s emergency notification system, has been used to contact affected businesses and residents.