Saskatoon council whittles down bigger-than-planned tax increase, passes police budget
Recommended 5.84% tax hike reduced to 5.2% so far
Saskatoon's new-look city council, with six newly elected councillors, has already reduced the proposed tax increase in the 2025 budget.
Council approved the 2024-2025 budget in 2023, but city administration recommended a further adjustment to the 2025 plan that would increase property taxes by 0.2 per cent more than originally planned. Property taxes were set to increase by 5.64 per cent, but administration had recommended that be changed to 5.84, due largely to a proposed $1.64-million budget increase for police.
After a lengthy debate on Monday, city council has been able to reduce that proposed tax increase to 5.2 per cent, while also approving the Saskatoon police budget as proposed.
The shift is in line with what Mayor Cynthia Block told CBC's Stephanie Massicotte on Saskatoon Morning. Block said she would like to get the tax hike below five per cent.
"I think that could be doable and, you know, potentially without too much risk in with regards to delivery of basic services and making sure that we're keeping up with our asset management plan," Block said.
Property taxes went up 6.04 per cent in 2024. Block attributes the year-over-year increases mostly to inflation.
"A fire engine costed $800,000 in 2020, and during the campaign I was told it's now $1.5 million, but as I've been elected, city hall has explained it's now $2 million."
During the 2023 budget debates, a motion to increase the portion of property tax paid by commercial property owners was defeated. Block said she would not be open to revisiting that idea this budget, but there needs to be "conversation" around that topic.
Wonderhub 'financial challenges'
A report coming forward to council outlines "financial challenges" at Nutrien Wonderhub, the children's museum located in the former location of the Mendel Art Gallery, including rising costs and a lack of provincial or federal government support.
Wonderhub CEO Leah Brodie said the facility has been operating at a deficit for years and is requesting $82,500 from the city.
Wonderhub laid out several ways the city could help, according to Brodie.
Those options could entail direct supporting the museum in the form of an increased operating grant or culture grant, or reducing a rent increase expected as part of a new lease agreement for its use of the Mendel building.
City administration is recommending that the rent jump included in the new agreement happen gradually over five years, rather than all at once.
Block said she "philosophically" supports giving the museum more money, but also voiced disappointment that the centre doesn't get funding from the provincial government.
"I think the residents of Saskatoon, the parents, have really come to understand and appreciate why that place is such a gem," Block said.
The province was not immediately able to respond to questions on the possibility of funding for Wonderhub.
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With files from Saskatoon Morning