Saskatoon budget deliberations day two: What you need to know

Budget deliberations opened on day two in Saskatoon with presentations from representatives at Remai Modern, SaskTel Centre and TCU Place.

At Remai Modern, there will be no request for new employees in the next two-year budget cycle, but according to Keegan McShane, director of finance, there is a need to start planning for capital costs, including equipment that’s near the end of its life.

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In 2026, there is an expected operating budget surplus of $138,445, while in 2027, the projected surplus will be $150,600.

SaskTel Centre will post a modest profit — of around $1.35 million this year — with projected net earnings of $964,000 for 2026 and $825,000 for 2027.

Meantime, TCU Place is posting a $100,000 deficit this year. However, according to Tammy Sweeney, CEO, thanks to increased business this year, it’s 74 per cent less than originally projected.

Council unanimously approved a total of $10.1 million for all three organizations’ operating budgets next year, and about $10.5 million for 2027. That’s an increase of 133,300 (1.3 per cent) in 2026 and $393,700 (3.9 per cent) in 2027, for the city’s portion of their budgets.

SaskTel centre will post a modest profit — of around $1.35 million this year — with projected net earnings of $964,000 for 2026 and $825,000 for 2027. (650 CKOM file photo)

Property taxes down to 6.43 percent for 2026 and 5.76 for 2027

City councillors got a solid start on a list of 108 “scenarios” that could lower property taxes by up to 2.67 per cent in 2026 and up to 3.62 per cent in 2027, but didn’t get quite halfway through it.

A number of items council decided to scrap include increasing fines by $10 for parking tickets other than those for paid parking time violations. It would instead apply in cases where someone parks on a street for longer than 72 hours, or in an area that requires a parking pass. That is expected to bring in about $500,000 in 2027.

Another item included an increase in fees for those taking their garbage to the city landfill with loads under 150 kg. The $15 landfill entrance fee will be increased to $20. It wasn’t immediately clear how much money that could bring in for the city.

Concerns were raised by Ward 2 Coun. Senos Timon and Ward 3 Coun. Robert Pearce about a proposed $150 fee for city sewer inspections and augering for residents who have issues with tree roots affecting sewer pipes to their homes. An amendment to that lowered the rate to $75, which could bring in about just shy of $140,000 per year.

According to Angela Gardiner, general manager of utilities and environment, the fee would begin to recover the cost of services provided by the city. City manager Jeff Jorgenson noted that, to his knowledge, even if a city tree not located on a homeowner’s property is causing sewer issues, it is still the property owner’s responsibility to remedy the problem.

The nominal fee, it was argued, is still much lower than fees charged by private companies to do the same job.

While he didn’t agree with the fee, Pearce, who is one of six new councillors, had high praise for the city managers’ efforts to try and reduce expenses.

“We’re doing our best to bring it (taxes) all down. I’m really glad that we’ve got a good administration that’s doing a good job, ’cause I’m looking at our neighbours in Regina and wishing them all the best,” he said.

At the end of the day, he said, while many proposed reductions were sometimes only $10,000 or less, it all adds up.

“It comes down to that reality that we do need to look at these things seriously,” he added.

As of Wednesday evening, Saskatoon property taxes now stand at 6.43 per cent for 2026 and 5.76 per cent for 2027, down from the 7.43 per cent and 5.92 per cent proposed at the beginning of budget deliberations on Tuesday.

For a home valued at $394,000, it means an additional $12.66 per month in 2026, and $12.05 per month in 2027.

The goal, according to Clae Hack, Saskatoon city chief financial officer, is to get property taxes down to 4.9 per cent for 2026.

Thursday schedule

There are still numerous big-ticket items on the list for council to consider on Thursday, which is scheduled to be the last day of deliberations.

That includes increasing the rates at indoor arenas, which would knock $138,000 off property taxes, reducing the outdoor public pool operating season and closing the George Ward pool, which would save a combined $278,000 over two years, increasing fees at city supported facilities, saving between $261,000 and $278,000 each year.

Increasing snow and ice removal timelines will also be debated, along with extending the Link rapid transit timelines, and reducing hours at leisure centres and transit operating hours.

A proposal to increase transit fares will also go before council, with several options.

Council unanimously approved a motion to extend deliberations until at least 6:30 p.m., one-and-a-half hours past its normal 5 p.m. deadline.