Council passes tax, fine hikes to deal with provincial cuts

Saskatoon city council voted Monday on a series of measures to balance the books after the provincial budget cut $9 million in funding to the city.  
 
Part of the shortfall will be addressed with tax hikes.
 
Originally, the city had been looking at a 1.9 per cent property tax increase for homeowners, or about another $35 a year on an average home with an assessed value of $325,000. 
 
Councillors approved a residential tax hike of 2.55 per cent Monday, or about $44 for an average homeowner.
 
Businesses will also see their taxes rise by about 10 per cent.
 
Speaking Tuesday on the Brent Loucks Show, Mayor Charlie Clark said he was relieved council was able to address the provincial cuts quickly.
 
But with the province still expecting at least another year or two of deficits, Clark said there is still uncertainty about what 2018 could hold for the city’s bank balance.
 
“I think it’s just as important as ever that we establish a stronger and clearer, more predictable funding relationship between the province and municipalities,” he said.
 
Councillors also voted to eliminate a roughly $3.5 million fund earmarked for wage increases for city employees. Employees will be asked to take a wage freeze for the year.

Parking fines will also rise from $20 to $30 due to the provincial cuts.

Clark said he was hopeful that not too many people would feel the sting of that last measure, particularly with a recently released app allowing people to pay for parking using their smartphone.
 
“We want people to come downtown, enjoy the businesses and keep the heart of the city strong,” he said.