SASKATOON – The City of Saskatoon is looking to hike property taxes next year by 7.26 per cent.
Officials say the increase is needed to respond to challenges and growth in the city and fix a strained road system and 4.29 per cent of the proposed increase would go to road maintenance.
“The 2013 Civic Services Survey shows residents want to see our roadways improved,” said City Manager Murray Totland.
“The 2014 preliminary budget includes a significant investment – $36.6 million – in operating and capital funding we’re proposing to invest in road maintenance alone.”
Another 2.66 per cent of the increase would go to Saskatoon Police Service, with 0.30 per cent to fire and the remaining 0.01 per cent to civic services.
City officials say they were able to find $1.4 million in cost-saving measures which reduced the mill rate increase by a full percentage point.
The total budget for 2014 totals $773.1 million, with $361.3 million going to capital projects and $411.8 million going to operations.
If approved, city administration says a homeowner of a single-detached home with a 2013 assessment of $325,000 will see an increase of approximately $105 annually.
The preliminary budget will be reviewed at a special council meeting on Dec. 3 and 4 at 1 p.m. each day.
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