'Think like business owners': Saskatoon business group urges city council to reduce property tax hike
With city councillors beginning budget deliberations this week, a Saskatoon business group is calling for a reduction in the proposed property tax rate hike.
In the preliminary two-year budget prepared by City of Saskatoon administrative staff, property taxes are proposed to increase 3.51 per cent in 2022 and 3.14 per cent in 2023.
The budget still must be approved by city council and councillors can make tweaks to the proposed financial plan.
As they make their final decisions, the North Saskatoon Business Association (NSBA) is asking councillors to "think like business owners" and find ways to reduce property taxes.
"The NSBA commends the efforts taken to reduce the proposed tax increase from the indicative budget in August, and we appreciate the time and effort put into the 2022/2023 budget," NSBA executive director Keith Moen said in a news release.
"But we would suggest that the city must make further efforts to reduce taxes even more," Moen said.
Earlier this year, city administration recommended higher property tax increases of 5.96 per cent and 5.42 per cent in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
City councillors directed administration to find ways to whittle down the hike.
According to the NSBA, the rise in property taxes in recent years "has grown at a significantly higher rate than the consumer price index (CPI)."
The CPI is calculated by Statistics Canada and tracks changes in price as experienced by Canadian consumers.
The NSBA is recommending the city consider steps including a hiring freeze across all departments, excluding Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Fire Department.
"It would be a win for the city and our economy if the council and administration could reduce property tax from the proposed 3.51 per cent increase to something at, near or below the CPI, just like our neighbours in the cities of Edmonton and Winnipeg have," Moen said.
Tax increases were held to tax increases 70 1.8 per cent in Edmonton and 2.3 per cent in Winnipeg, according to Moen.
City council is set to debate the budget during three days of meetings starting on Monday.
The NSBA has outlined its recommendations in a formal submission to council.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.