Council votes down budget plan, asks for lower tax hikes

Saskatoon city council is aiming for a lower property tax hike over the next two years after shooting down an administration proposal in a tie vote on Monday.

The Governance and Priorities Committee voted 4-4 on the two-year budget plan that would have seen a 3.94-per-cent tax increase in 2020 and a 4.17-per-cent increase in 2021.

Mayor Charlie Clark, who attended his first council chambers meeting since suffering a concussion a week ago, voted in favour of the recommended increases along with councillors Hilary Gough, Mairin Loewen and Sarina Gersher.

Bev Dubois, Randy Donauer, Zach Jeffries and Cynthia Block voted against the prescribed hikes. Councillors Darren Hill, Troy Davies and Ann Iwanchuk were absent from the meeting.

A tie vote meant the proposal failed, forcing councillors to decide whether tax increases should be above or below four per cent.

They opted for lower tax increases in a 7-1 vote, with only Gersher against.

City staff will now go back to the drawing board in putting together a two-year budget plan and a proposed number for tax increases. Administration has warned a lower number could mean service cuts in the near future.

The move comes after years of tax hikes near four per cent, including a 4.4-per-cent rise in 2019.

Saskatoon city council will give final approval to the budget for 2020 during a series of meetings in November.