News Releases

To minimize the impact to traffic and inconvenience to businesses in the area the work has been scheduled to take place between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. This work was previously postponed due to rain.

Tonight the following restrictions will be in place while crews resurface the roadway:

- Circle Drive northbound curb (outside) and centre lanes closed beginning at the Attridge Drive eastbound off-ramp, with further restrictions on the ramps.

- 51st Street eastbound curb (outside) and centre lanes closed from Faithfull Avenue to 1st Avenue

- Faithfull Avenue between 50th Street and 51st Street closed

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24. All lanes will be open during the day.
Motorists are reminded that the zipper merge is in effect on Circle Drive.
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! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon reminds property owners that the due date for payment of 2014 property taxes is Monday, June 30, 2014*. Payment can be made in person at City Hall up to 5:00 p.m. on June 30.

If you would like to avoid last minute lineups, consider the following convenient payment options:

Internet Banking Options – pay property taxes online through your bank’s internet banking options. Please allow up to 2 business days for payment processing by the vendor. Some vendors may take longer.

Financial Institutions – property taxes may be paid while doing your regular business at most financial institutions and banks.

City Hall Drop Boxes – you can place your property tax payment in one of the two drop boxes located at City Hall outside the main entrance or in the main foyer. Cheques only please, do not deposit cash. City Hall is located at 222-3^rd Avenue North in Saskatoon.
*A penalty of 1.25% per month will be applied to any 2014 taxes unpaid after June 30, 2014.

If you mail in your property tax payment, you can check your account balance by calling our Automated Voice Response toll free at 1-800-667-9944, or 306-975-2400 to determine if your payment has been received.

Other Tax Services/Programs for Property Owners

Tax Installment Payment Plan Service (TIPPS):  Property owners can apply to join this service that allows property taxes to be paid in convenient monthly installments. TIPPS payments are made by automatic withdrawal from a bank account.

Property Tax Deferral Program for Low-Income Senior Citizen Homeowners: For qualified applicants, this program can provide extra financial flexibility by deferring the municipal and library portion of their property tax bill.

To apply for TIPPS or the Property Tax Deferral Program for Low-Income Senior Citizen Homeowners, or for more details on property taxes, visit the City’s website at www.saskatoon.ca, and search under “P” for Property Tax, or call our Customer Service team at 306-975-2400 for helpful information.

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.

For Release: June 20, 2014

The City of Saskatoon plans to upgrade its metering system for utilities to a smart meter system that will allow the City to bill each resident fairly, based on actual usage rather than estimated usage. 

Currently, the City of Saskatoon bills customers based on estimated usage with manual meter reads taking place once every few months or so. This manual read often results in a bill that reflects necessary adjustments, either an increase or a decrease, based on actual use. When the Smart Meter System is active, which is scheduled for 2015, your bill will then reflect actual use every month.  This means fair billing for everyone.

If your utility bill has been larger in recent months, this is because a manual meter read has taken place. We are not increasing billing rates nor has the Smart Meter System been activated.

Smart Meters will result in many benefits for residents, including the ability to access data that will allow them to monitor and adjust their electricity and water consumption habits in order to save money and help the environment.

To find more information on Smart Meters, visit Saskatoon.ca and click on “Smart Meters” under Check This Out! 

The City of Saskatoon (City) is pleased to announce seven new public artworks to be displayed in Saskatoon as part of the Placemaker Public Art Program. Public consultation with residents suggested a desire for new public art locations and more diversity in materials and themes.  Following a recent call for proposals, the City received 25 submissions from artists all over the world, with the City’s Visual Arts Placement Jury selecting the following artworks of local and national artists:

• The Jam by Josh Jacobson (Saskatoon SK) – A site specific wall mural.  Aerosol Art.  Location:  Broadway Avenue. Long term.
• Dapplers by Les Potter and Alicia Popoff (Saskatoon SK) – Two painted steel and cement sculptures.  Location:  20th Street West. Long term.
• Der Volgelhändler by Mark Prier (Mississauga ON) – Two week long performance with busker organ / bird seed broadcaster.  Location:  Various locations throughout downtown. Short term.
• We Are All Linked by Monique Martin (Saskatoon SK) Interlocked clay hexagons covered in beeswax, installed in trees.  Location:  Various locations throughout Saskatoon. Medium term.
• Sweet Grass Sway by Heather Shillinglaw (Edmonton AB) – Sweetgrass images on feather shaped flags arranged in the infinity shape.  Location:  College Drive. Long term.
• Flourishing Perceptions by Adrian Bica with assistance from Dimitri Karopoulos and Sebastian Lubcynski (Markham ON) – Sculptural installation of a head, made of polystyrene panels mounted to a structural steel frame surrounded by plantings.  Location:  College Drive. Long term.
• Like a Rolling Stone – Be Part of Art by Heike Fink (Prud’homme SK) – Felted pebbles crafted during public workshops by the Saskatoon community, installed along the river bank Location:  River Landing. Short term.

Each of these new artworks will be installed at varying times throughout the months of June to December. Installation terms vary from long term (up to three years), medium term (a season) and short term (e.g.  two weeks or during an event). With each individual art installation, the public will have an opportunity to meet the artist (or team of artists) during talks about their respective art pieces.

The goal of the Placemaker Program is to enhance civic spaces within commercial districts through the placement of temporary public art. Public art refers to artwork that has been planned and executed in the public domain, in any media, that is outside and accessible to all. Artists are requested to respond to the sites and take into account the physical or historical contexts.

For more information on the new art installations and the Placemaker Program, please visit www.saskatoon.ca and look under “P” for Placemaker Program.
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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The City of Saskatoon will lower flags to half-mast at all City facilities in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism.  This national day is recognized every year in Canada on June 23.

The National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism marks the anniversary of the Air India Flight 182 bombing which happened off the coast of Ireland.  Flags across Canada are flown at half-mast to honour the victims of the bombing, as well as other acts of terrorist violence that have taken lives of Canadians.

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.