Saskatoon Approves Budget Adjustments to Affordable Housing, SPCA, Gas and Diesel Costs – Saskatoon

November 29 marks the second day of Saskatoon City Council’s budget meetings.

On Monday, information was presented on the topics of property taxes, affordable housing income and the Saskatoon Police Department in an effort to adjust the budget for those areas.

The 2023 Business Plan and Budget was created in 2021 and was based on expense and revenue estimates at the time, including lost revenue due to the impact of COVID-19.

However, due to inflation, the city continued to incur higher costs for fuel, natural gas, materials, supplies, and labor.

“This year has presented significant challenges for individuals, businesses and the city in terms of unforeseen inflationary pressures which we believe will persist through 2023,” said Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer.

“These pressures, coupled with an already ambitious City budget target, require consideration of adjustments to ensure our service levels and resources are aligned. As such, the administration is proposing several adjustments to the approved preliminary budget for 2023 to ensure that the City’s service levels are maintained and adequately resourced. »

Proposed budget adjustments to the 2023 operating budget will provide more than $10.04 million in additional resources to combat rising inflation costs and raise property taxes from 3.53% to 4.38%.

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Saskatoon police seek additional funding in city budget talks

On Monday, city council discussed a further $100,000 mileage rate increase and a $300,000 capital contribution to the affordable housing reserve.

On Tuesday, the city council approved this recommendation from the administration and will move forward with the budget adjustments.

City Council also approved a budget adjustment of a one-time $95,000 contribution to SPCA Pound Services to help transfer animals from the pound to shelter services.

Randy Donauer suggested reducing the gas and diesel cost assumption by 10 cents per litre, which would result in savings of approximately $700,000.

« Gasoline and diesel is a very volatile market right now, so it’s hard to say for sure the exact amount of risk it will bring, » Hack said.

« But if we had similar volatility next year, we’d be pretty close to what we’ve had, with a 10% reduction. »

The previous assumption for 2023 was $1.23 per liter for gasoline and $1.29 per liter for diesel.

Over $1.1 million in fuel expenses highlights the city’s total spending change of over $10 million.

The city’s current deficit sits at $2.26 million, meaning the motion would help balance the books.

The vote on Donauer’s motion is carried unanimously.

— with files from Easton Hamm.

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