In an effort to minimize potential tax hike, Saskatoon city councillors send administration back to the drawing board
City councillors have asked administration to take another crack at its preliminary two-year budget figures, which included suggested property tax increases of 5.96 per cent in 2022 and 5.42 percent 2023.
The proposed increases were included in a report intended to get the ball rolling before budget deliberations begin this fall.
During a meeting of the city's governance and priories committee on Monday, councillors requested putting off setting the suggested indicative tax rate, which is a non-binding starting point for crafting the city's budget.
Instead, councillors requested administration to "undertake a deeper review" of the proposed numbers, according to a City of Saskatoon news release.
"The purpose of the review will be to further explore options to address the property tax pressure residents and businesses face in this unprecedented year, and to recognize the funds required to maintain quality services and address strategic priorities of City Council," the release said.
The committee also asked administration to report back on the possibility of funding the planned city-wide organic waste program by billing residents under a utility model instead of covering the cost directly from property taxes.
RATES WERE 'STATUS QUO'
In its news release, the city said the proposed indicative rates it presented were for a "status quo" budget where all services are maintained at present levels.The head of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce was critical of the initially proposed rates.
"Saskatoon’s economic recovery will be a business-led recovery,” said chamber CEO Jason Aebig, CEO of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.
"Our businesses are eager to recover however every new dollar in taxes will weaken their capacity to create the jobs, products and economic activity needed to fuel that recovery," Aebi said in a news release issued ahead of Monday's committee meeting.
The move to delay setting the indicative rate came the same day the Riversdale Business Improvement District claimed some businesses may not survive unexpectedly high tax bills that have come in the wake of property reassessment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.