News Releases

NEW SATURDAY
25TH ST E WB CLOSED & 3RD AVE SB CLOSED AT INTERSECTION
(Water Main Repair)
25th St EB & 3rd Ave NB reduced to one lane.
Start: December 13, 7:00 a.m. End: December 14, 6:00 p.m.

NEW SUNDAY

CIRCLE DR EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT IDYLWYLD DR INTERSECTION
(Electrical work)
No left turn from Circle Dr WB to Idylwyld Dr NB
Start: December 14, 6:30 a.m. End: December 14, 7:30 a.m.

SPADINA CRES NB CLOSED BETWEEN 24TH ST & UNIVERSITY BRIDGE
(Pole maintenance)
Start: December 14, 7:30 a.m. End: December 14, 9:00 a.m.
IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 51ST ST OFF-RAMP
(Pole maintenance)
Start: December 14, 9:00 a.m. End: December 14, 10:30 a.m.

HWY 7 NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED SOUTH OF HART RD
(Pole maintenance)
Start: December 14, 10:30 a.m. End: December 14, 12:00 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.

 

For those property owners on the convenient TIPPS program (Tax Installment Payment Plan Service) watch for your new TIPPS Information in the mail this week.

TIPPS allows property owners to pay their property tax bill in 12 monthly instalments by automatic withdrawal rather than a single annual payment, based on the calendar year.  TIPPS customers must ensure that sufficient funds are available in their deposit account on the first banking day each month. This service makes budgeting easier, and has no added fees or penalties.

If you are a property owner and not currently paying your property taxes on a monthly basis, consider applying for TIPPS. You can apply if you: 

· have banking privileges at your financial institution (bank, trust company, or credit union)

· are not paying your property tax through a mortgage company

TIPPS applications are accepted throughout the year, and it is important to note, all tax arrears and any missed instalments from January 1 must be paid at the time of your application.

For those property owners currently not on TIPPS, property taxes are due and payable June 30 of each year.  

For more information visit the homepage of saskatoon.ca and look under Online Services for TIPPS, or use the Property Assessment & Online Tax Tool.  Other tax questions? Call 306-975-2400.

 - 30 -

 

For Release: December 10, 2014
AF14 -113

Following three days of budget talks, City Council approved a 5.34% property tax increase which translates to an $83.31 per year increase for an average house Assessment Value of $325,000.  That works out to $6.94 per month.

“This investment will ensure that the City’s public infrastructure and its delivery of core services meet the needs of Saskatoon’s residents in a fiscally responsible way,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer and General Manager, Asset & Financial Management.

After a tabling a preliminary budget that proposed a 7.32% property tax increase, the Administration advanced other possible adjustments to the 2015 Business Plan and Budget. This led to further discussion and Council made reductions arriving at the current property tax increase of 5.34%.

Saskatoon has been recognised as a national leader with business-friendly tax rates: the CD Howe Institute (News Release AF14-109) and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (News Release ) recently recognised the City’s tax policies.  Additionally, Saskatoon continues to have one of the lowest property tax rates in Canada (News Release CP14-163).

“Like more recent business plan and budgets, our new budget concentrates funding on public safety, roads and civic infrastructure,” Tarasoff says.  “If these factors were not properly addressed in Budget 2015, Saskatoon’s quality of life and economic health would be compromised, and the Saskatoon Advantage would be lost.”

Highlights of the Finalized 2015 Budget Include:

Transportation

·$8 million for the rehabilitation of the University Bridge

·$70 million for interchanges at Highway #16 and Boychuk Drive and, Highway #5 and McOrmond Drive

·A continued and increased investment totalling $53 million  in the Building Better Roads program through the dedicated road levy

·Work will begin on the new North Commuter Parkway and replacement of the Traffic Bridge to help ease congestion and improve productivity

Utilities

·A number of utility projects totalling almost $60 million for improvements to City infrastructure.

Policing

·The Saskatoon Police Service received an operating budget of $80 million:  this includes funding for four new constables.  The provincial government will fund an additional five for a total of nine new police officers.

Fire

·A $45 million operating budget for the Fire Department budget was passed in its entirety.

Recreation and Culture

·$1 million contribution to phase-two of the Saskatoon Minor Football Field upgrade at Gordie Howe Park.

·$6 million to help the Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan ready its building for opening.

Corporate Governance and Finance

·The City will implement Service Saskatoon to provide more coordinated and better customer service to citizens and visitors.

Urban planning & development

·Recommendations from the four key subject areas included in the Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon study will be unveiled to improve the way the City plans for growth.

·The City and its regional partners will continue to work on a regional growth plan to ensure that the Saskatoon region can grow in a sustainable way.

Corporate Asset Management

·Construction of a new Civic Operations Centre will begin to help improve the efficiency of City operations.

Environmental Health

·A green loan of $600 thousand for an energy monitoring program for civic buildings to identify cost efficiencies.

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.

As unseasonally mild temperatures cause snow to melt quickly crews are working 24/7 to address slushy conditions on priority one and two streets. Crews are currently proactively salting and grading priority roads to soften packed snow and reduce slush.  The Circle Drive Snow Train will be removing the remaining stored snow from along guardrails.

 

Snow on residential streets is also melting quickly and while snow is going to be very soft, it’s not deep enough to cause severe ruts. We are monitoring the situation and investigating reports from residents of trouble areas.  Drivers are encouraged to be cautious and drive appropriately for slushy conditions.

As required, crews are clearing and opening catch basins to deal with the melt. The snow piled into windrows will allow the snow to melt slowly, reducing the risk of flooding. Crews are also addressing potholes as they arise, filling them with cold mix asphalt.

With mild conditions forecast overnight there is less concern about the slush turning to hard ice. However, the grading being carried out on priority streets, removing clumps and ruts, will help to prevent severe icing when temperatures do eventually drop.  Drivers should use extra caution when approaching plows and graders; and avoid passing. Beware of reduced visibility. Clearing of wet, slushy roads and shoulders can throw moisture onto your windshield leading to a sudden loss of visibility.  Always drive defensively and leave enough space to minimize snow spray.

Residents may consider the following tips to reduce the risk of snowmelt flooding around their homes:

• Remove snow from around your foundation. Pay particular attention to the areas around window wells.
• Most lots drain along the outside edges. Remove snow from these areas.
• Keep the snow in your yard; do not place it on the road or in the alley.
• Help keep catch basins clear. Where possible, safely clear snow, ice and debris from the catch basins in your area.

When shovelling, please exercise caution and care, especially when lifting wet, heavy snow. Consider doing a bit at a time.

Residents can report problem areas by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

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.

 

On Wednesday, December 10, the following streets reopened to traffic as construction of the Avenue H Reservoir Expansion project wraps up.

- Avenue H reopened between 11th Street and 12th Street
- 11th Street reopened between Avenue H and Avenue I

Construction of the Avenue H Reservoir Expansion project began in March, 2012 and included the expansion of the reservoir, the addition of an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system, and the installation of a new high-lift pump station. In conjunction with the new faciltiy, a new overhead pedestrian corridor was installed across Avenue H which has a height restriction of 5.1 meters.

A grand opening of the new facility will occur in the spring of 2015.

For more information on the reservoir expansion project, please visit saskatoon.ca and click on “W” for Water Treatment Plant Expansion Plans.

The City recognizes that this project created a significant inconvenience to adjacent property owners and would especially like to thank them for their patience and cooperation during construction.  The City would also like to thank drivers who were inconvenienced by the detour.

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.