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
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Auston Matthews returns for Game 7, but Leafs minus injured goaltender Joseph Woll
Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews returned to the lineup for Game 7 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.