Saskatoon budget talks get underway, higher tax proposed
The City of Saskatoon’s budget deliberations are underway, with administration proposing to further hike pre-approved property taxes.
City council initially approved a 3.53 per cent tax increase for the 2023 budget in November 2021, as part of the city’s new multi-year budget process.
Now, administration is considering raising the property tax hike up to 4.38 per cent.
Under the new rate, an owner with a home valued at $344,000 would pay about $7.28 more per month — up from the originally approved $5.87 per month.
Clae Hack, the city’s chief financial officer, introduced the budget on Monday.
Hack said the city is facing new financial pressures this year, unforeseen when the budget was discussed in 2021.
The city is incurring higher costs for fuel, natural gas, materials and labour — leaving a $2.29 million gap that needs to be covered by property taxes, according to Hack.
Discover Saskatoon CEO Steph Clovechok spoke against the increase. Clovechok said the added cost would be another blow to businesses already struggling.
“Travel has not returned by any means to its pre-pandemic levels and neither has sport travel, and those are our bread and butter in our visitor economy,” Clovechok told CTV News, after presenting to city hall.
Clovechok said if the new hike moves ahead “business are going to have to consider where they redistribute this additional cost,” which will likely be passed on to the consumer.
“Room rates might go up, or a restaurant might have to charge more, or retailers might have to mark things up,” Clovechok said.
The property tax hike of 4.38 per cent is a recommendation. The finalized rate is in the hands of city councillors.
Mayor Charlie Clark joined the meeting virtually on Monday. Clark said he was stuck in Lloydminster in the snowstorm.
The mayor is expected to be back in-person on Tuesday for the second day of budget talks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.