April 18, 2011: Council Decisions in Brief

Storm Water Utility Rate Structure – City Council approved a recommendation from the Administration to create a new storm water utility rate structure that is separate from the current system where a flat rate is charged to every water meter bill. The existing system has resulted in single detached homes effectively subsidizing large properties. The new system will charge property owners proportionately for the amount of storm water load their property imposes on the storm sewer system. The additional revenue generated through this new structure will be directed to the preservation of assets in the storm sewer system, adherence to future provincial environmental regulations, and projects designed to reduce the risk of surface flooding from severe storm events.

Remai Arts Centre Expansion – City Council approved a recommendation by the Administration to sell a portion of Parcel “X” to the Persephone Theatre for an expansion to the existing second stage, rehearsal hall, stage management office, basement storage, dressing rooms and carpentry shop for the purchase price of $90,000. The City will sell land to Persephone Theatre for the purpose of shell construction. The shell will be contracted through the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan (AGS) tender process and included as part of the AGS contract. Persephone Theatre will pay for its portion of the project to the City.

2010 Municipal Services Benchmark Report – City Council received information about the 2010 Municipal Services Benchmark Report which identifies the factors contributing to different property tax rates between Saskatoon and the cities of Regina, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Calgary. The report shows that our financial resources are well managed, and that Saskatoon is a good place for businesses to set up operations and invest. While the report identified strengths in all the participating cities, it showed that the City of Saskatoon:

A copy of this report is available on the City of Saskatoon website, click on “C” for City Council and go to Reports and Publications.