Saskatoon budget deliberations day three: What you need to know

Another day of big decisions for Saskatoon City Council got underway on Thursday, with councillors facing a list of 62 budget scenarios to work through as they search for savings.

The city’s transit and fire budgets, a variety of potential service cuts and affordable housing initiatives are up for consideration as well.

Read more:

• Saskatoon budget deliberations day two: What you need to know
• Carney, Smith sign pipeline deal, open door to changing B.C. tanker ban
• Rawlco Radio purchases 92.9 The Bull in Saskatoon

The property tax increase for 2026 currently stands at 6.43 per cent, with another hike of 5.76 per cent in 2027. For a home valued at $394,000, that would mean an extra $12.66 per month in 2026 and $12.05 per month in 2027. The goal, according to Clae Hack, the city’s chief financial officer, is to cut the tax increase for 2026 down to approximately 4.9 per cent.

One of the first big items council considered on Wednesday was whether to reduce the Youth Sports Subsidy from its current level of 40 per cent to 35, 30 or 25 per cent in 2027, a move which would save the city up to $1,005,000. The subsidy currently supports 30 organizations around the city.

The motion to reduce the subsidy was defeated.

A variety of community grants were also debated on Wednesday morning, including cutting a grant for a provincial detox centre on Avenue O South by up to 50 per cent in 2027. Several councilors, including Ward 3’s Robert Pearce, Ward 5’s Randy Donauer and Ward 10’s Zach Jeffries, questioned how the grant was established and whether lines regarding what the city was responsible for were becoming blurred.

City manager Jeff Jorgenson said he didn’t recall how the grant actually came about, but Ward 4 Coun. Troy Davies said it was “time to move on,” and to have the Saskatchewan Health Authority take over funding.

Ward 4 Coun. Troy Davies said it was time for the Saskatchewan Health Authority to take over funding for a detox centre on Avenue O South. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

Council ultimately voted to reduce the grant by 50 per cent in 2026, saving $54,100, and to eliminate it altogether in 2027, saving an additional $108,200.

More to come…