What’s in, out so far in Saskatoon’s 2015 budget

Watch above: A second day of budget deliberations wasn’t enough so Saskatoon city councillors will have to meet again next week.  Wendy Winiewski tells us what’s in and what’s out and where property taxes sit so far in the process

SASKATOON – City councillors have spent two days analyzing and scrutinizing Saskatoon’s 2015 budget. Some things have been added, others taken out, but it has still not been finalized.

The proposed property tax increase has fallen by over a full percentage point from the original proposal of 7.32 per cent to the current 6.23 per cent, and Mayor Don Atchison says it could come in below 6.0 per cent when it is finally approved.

MORE: Saskatoon city council needs more time to finalize budget

Here is what’s up, down, in and out so far.

Less garbage collection: April and October have been removed from the list of warm weather months and garbage will now be collected bi-weekly, a savings of $110,000 yearly.

Lower road levy: The levy for road funding maintenance will be spread out over three years instead of two, shaving almost a full percentage point off any property tax increase.

Electricity rates up: Saskatoon Light & Power customers will see their power costs go up 2.3 per cent, slightly lower than the 3.0 per cent increase for SaskPower customers.

Water rates up: Water and water waste rated will be going up 9.5 per cent.

Higher Saskatoon Transit subsidy: The subsidy for Saskatoon Transit is up $313,000 for 2015 after councillors rejected a 10 cent fare increase.

Higher leisure centre admissions: You will have to dig a little deeper to take a dip at an indoor door. Rates at city leisure centres will rise 50 cents to $9.80 for an adult admission.

Paddling pools/spray parks: $200,000 will go towards replacing s and upgrading paddling pools and spray parks in the city.

No new dog parks: More money elsewhere means there will be no new off-leash recreation areas for dogs next year.

Councillors also rejected a request for a new communications employee for the utility and environmental department.

Still to be decided is the police budget. Councillors rejected the proposed $4.5-million increase, which would have partially gone to hiring ten new staff including eight constables.

MORE: City council rejects police budget, scales back weekly garbage pickup

As it currently stands, homeowners in a house with an assessed value of $325,000 would pay an additional $97 in property taxes in 2015, not including the education portion, which is set by the provincial government in the spring.

That figure could change when decisions on the remaining budget items are debated next Tuesday.

With files from David Giles