SASKATOON – Be prepared to pay higher property taxes if you are a homeowner in Saskatoon. The preliminary budget presented today to city council recommends a property tax hike of 3.95 per cent.
That works out to an additional $5.40 per month on a property with an assessed value of $325,000.
City administration said it will help pay for some of the biggest increases in expenditures, including road maintenance and policing.
“Citizens told us they want more spending when it comes to things like maintaining major roadways, transit, street crime, and a growing population,” said Murray Totland, the city’s general manager.
The proposed increase would raise an additional $7.47-million, which administration said would go towards debt repayment on future traffic noise projects, the building better roads program, eight new police constables and for the fire department.
READ MORE: Saskatoon police propose budget increase, 8 new officers
Initial operating expenditures for 2016 is an estimated at $457.1 million, an increase of $22.5 million. Administration is recommending $177.2 million for capital projects, down over $48 million from 2015.
From now until Nov. 13, the city is inviting residents to voice their opinions on the budget.
Councillors will debate the budget on Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 3.
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