Saskatoon approves city budget, trims property tax hike to 4.96 per cent

On Tuesday, the Saskatoon City Council passed its 2025 budget unanimously, whittling the proposed property tax increase down to 4.96 per cent.

Next year, residents with an average home valued at $344,000 will pay an estimated $9.14 increase per month.

The original proposed tax hike was set at 5.84 per cent, but was shaved down to 5.2 percent on the first day of deliberations, thanks to investment revenue.

On the second day of discussions, the council made seven different adjustments to the budget, which included the approval of an additional $500,000 towards snow and ice management, now increasing that number up to $18.1 million.

Saskatoon’s Chief Financial Officer Clae Hack. (Mia Holowaychuk/ 650 CKOM)

Clae Hack, the city’s Chief Financial Officer says the funds will be invested in growing the city’s road networks.

“We were facing inflationary pressures, whether it be from our contractors, or internal wage negotiations,” Hack said.  “A little bit of funding provided (will) account for the weather events that we’ve been seeing over the past several years.”

The budget also includes the addition of two fire bylaw inspectors and a vehicle for the Saskatoon Fire Department to provide more resources to the Emergency Wellness Centre in Fairhaven totalling $181,500.

Read More:

• Saskatoon trims proposed tax hike to 5.2 per cent, approves police budget
• St. Mary’s warming shelter in Saskatoon opens a week earlier than expected
• Saskatoon city council approves $200,000 for winter warming shelters

To offset those costs, the city council adjusted some fluctuating revenue projections, introducing a bit more of a risk to the budget Hack explained, noting it is nothing more than what is typical or manageable for 2025.

The Wonderhub will also receive additional funds with its lease up for renewal.

Following a report from the museum during deliberations, the city has agreed to cover small building repairs and insurance. However, Wonderhub will continue to pay base rent, which will be set aside for major maintenance like roof or window replacements.

Cynthia Block, Mayor of Saskatoon, told reporters she is happy with the 2025 city budget. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

Mayor Cynthia Block said she feels “very good” about the budget, and that the city council is working to address key issues like homelessness, and adding more resources for policing and transit.

“Residents expect us to continue to fund core services and asset management, but they also wanted us to sharpen our pencils in order to make sure that we could get a property tax rate that was more in line with inflation.”

Block said she feels inspired by how the new city council has worked together and operated just 10 days after being sworn in, with many councillors stepping into the role for the first time.

“I’m not under any illusion that we’re always going to agree, but I think when reasonable people sit down together and try to work with one another, we can do a very good job for the residents of our city,” Block said.