City Administration proposes revised property tax ratio following new warehouse assessment data

The City of Saskatoon is proposing a revised property tax ratio following recent amendments to primarily warehouse property assessments that would have a material impact on the distribution of the 2025 municipal property tax levy if left unadjusted.

The amended assessments, finalized on March 27, 2025, reflect necessary time adjustments to warehouse property assessment data to align with the base valuation date of January 1, 2023. The result is an increase of approximately $653 million in assessed value within the commercial property class.

"These updated assessments ensure our property values reflect current market conditions and maintain fairness across all property types," says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer. "However, the scale of the change means we must also adjust our property tax ratio to reflect the original intent of City Council’s direction."

As a result, City Administration is proposing to revise the commercial-to-residential tax ratio from the previously approved 1.88 to 1 to 1.71 to 1, at the April 9, 2025, Governance and Priorities Committee meeting. This updated ratio maintains the intended balance of 32% of tax revenue from non-residential properties and 68% from residential properties, consistent with City Council’s previously stated objectives.

"This recommendation ensures that we remain aligned with Council’s direction and avoid placing an undue tax burden on one part of the tax base due to the amended assessment values," Hack adds.

Visit saskatoon.ca/propertytax for more information.