News Releases

"CONTINUING STRONG ECONOMY”: ‘AAA’/STABLE CREDIT RATING AGAIN

For another year, the City of Saskatoon has earned the highest possible rating from international bond rating agency, Standard & Poor’s; S&P today reaffirmed its ‘AAA’/stable credit rating for Saskatoon - one of the hottest Canadian economies.

“Standard and Poor’s assessment again sends the message that the City’s budget process and resource allocation is open, accountable and transparent, and that Saskatoon has an economy that will keep our growth on track,” says His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison.

Every year Standard & Poor’s reviews the City’s finances and delivers the credit rating and supporting rationale in a report based on that study.

“This is exactly what we work toward every day,” says Acting Chief Financial Officer Kerry Tarasoff. “Saskatoon continues to be headed into healthy economic times, and S&P’s rating underlines that position.”

As it did last year, Standard & Poor’s continues to view the financial outlook for Saskatoon as stable. The agency is confident that cash flow and cash investments will increase to offset any rising debt. In other words, Saskatoon’s leading economy is expected to keep growing.

“Saskatoon's economic fundamentals are very strong, in our view” the report says. “We think Saskatoon is managing its growth well, and we expect this will continue.”

The City of Saskatoon demonstrates strong and prudent financial policies and solid management, and these have a positive impact on the credit profile. The City has received the ‘AAA’/stable credit rating every year for more than a decade.

Receiving a ‘AAA’ credit rating essentially means that the City of Saskatoon can borrow money at lower rates, and is viewed by financial institutions as having virtually no-risk with respect to defaulting on credit. The City of Saskatoon’s favorable budget performance, as well as its self-generated revenues, continue to place the City in a strong and stable financial position, supporting the City’s Strategic Goal of Asset and Financial Sustainability.

 For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases,  Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on January 22, Cumberland Avenue South between Taylor Street and 1st Street will be closed while crews replace a sewer connection.  Drivers are encouraged to use Louise Street.

The roadway is expected to reopen by 6:00 p.m., weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.  The City thanks everyone for their patience. 

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

On Wednesday, January 8, any required 2014 Assessment Notices will be mailed to the owner’s property or properties located in Saskatoon. The Assessment Notice lets owners know the assessed value of their property, which is then used to determine how much property tax must be paid. Property Tax Notices will be delivered in May 2014, once education rates are determined as part of the provincial budget. 

Since 2013, property owners have been paying property tax each year based on the value of their property as of January, 2011. Province-wide revaluations take place in Saskatchewan once every four years; 2013 was a revaluation year, and 2014 begins the second year in the four year assessment cycle.

“Our goal is to create and conduct property assessments that place fair, accurate, and equitable values on properties,” City Assessor Les Smith says. “Increases or decreases to the amount of property tax due to the 2013 revaluation are phased-in over the four year cycle,” adds Smith. “The annual tax bills will be adjusted each of the four years to include any appropriate phase-in adjustments.”

The City of Saskatoon collects taxes on behalf of the City, the Provincial Government for the Public and Separate School Boards, and the Saskatoon Public Library. Each taxing authority establishes its annual budget, and after taking into consideration other sources of revenue, determines the total revenue required through taxation.

The City uses a valuation approach that ensures property values are a reflection of the market value on a given date.  Factors like location (neighbourhood) of the property, traffic patterns around the property, views, and the property structure are all used to determine an assessment value. Adjustments are also made for other factors including size, age, style, garage, etc.

As this is a non-revaluation year, property owners have 30 days to appeal their assessment. Appeals can be made until February 10, 2014, by mail to: Secretary, Board of Revision, c/o City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 222 - 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 0J5.

Property owners, visit saskatoon.ca and click on ’A’ for Assessment, or use the Property Assessment Online Tool which provides market and assessment information.  Property owners can also contact Assessment and Taxation at 306-975-3227 for additional information, or visit the Assessment and Taxation Division in person at 4-325 Third Ave N, located one block north of City Hall.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Starting Monday, January 13, 2014 traffic will be restricted south of the 1st Avenue North and Circle Drive intersection while crews complete further work on the primary water main. This work had been scheduled for earlier in the month, but was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

The following restrictions will be in place: 

• No turning southbound on to 1st Avenue North from Circle Drive eastbound and westbound
• Local access only along 1st Avenue North between 40th Street and Circle Drive northbound and southbound
• No parking on sections of 1st Avenue North between 40th Street and Circle Drive.

It is expected that this work will take five days to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go!  Find up-to-date Traffic Detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Every year, the City of Saskatoon sets up temporary drop-off sites to collect live trees from December 26 to January 31. Christmas trees should be dropped off unwrapped and unbound at the following locations:

• Primrose Drive Recycling Depot (next to Lawson Civic Centre)
• Edmonton Avenue Recycling Depot (at Edmonton Avenue and Avenue P)
• Meadowgreen Recycling Depot (22nd Street and Witney Avenue)
• Lowe Road Recycling Depot (Attridge Drive and Lowe Road)
• George Ward Pool parking lot (5th Street East and Grosvenor Avenue)
• Wildwood Golf Course parking lot (8th Street East)
• Doukhobor Cultural Society of Saskatchewan parking lot (17th Street West and Avenue I)

Live trees dropped off at these locations are chipped and composted or used as mulch. Artificial trees are not accepted for recycling and should be taken to the Landfill.

Our live tree recycling program is designed to reduce the amount of waste that goes to the Landfill and help grow a greener Saskatoon. For more information about recycling and waste handling, visit SaskatoonRecycles.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Due to the extreme cold weather conditions this morning, garbage trucks were not able to begin collection as scheduled for Route 2 (Arbor Creek, Forest Grove, Parkridge and Silverspring).  The temperature has increased slightly and collection on this route will be begin at 11:00 a.m. and extend into the evening until complete.  Residents on Garbage Collection Route 2 are asked to leave their black carts out until collection occurs.

Extremely cold temperatures affect the garbage trucks’ hydraulic and mechanical components, resulting in costly damage and breakdown to the trucks.

Recycling is being collected as scheduled today.  The City of Saskatoon thanks residents for their patience during this cold period.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

The Saskatoon Transit and Access Transit fare increases that were approved as part of the 2014 City of Saskatoon Budget will take effect starting February 1, 2014.

The new fees are as follows:

Single transit tickets will increase by $0.10 for adults, students and children making the new rates $2.40, $1.80 and $1.40.

The cost of a monthly pass will also increase. For adults it will increase from $78 to $81; students $56 to $57; children $47 to $48; and for seniors $26 to $27.

Cash fares will increase by $0.10 to $3.10 per ride for an adult, $2.60 for a student, and $2.10 for a child.

An important message to our customers:  Despite incorrect information that has circulated in the community, The City of Saskatoon is continuing to offer senior discounted bus passes.  Thank you for choosing Saskatoon Transit.

For more information on Saskatoon Transit fares, routes and schedules, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “T” for Transit or call 306-975-3100 and speak to a Customer Service Representative.  Access Transit customers can call 306-975-3555 for further information.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases,  Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Beginning January 13, 2014, the entrance to the Saskatoon Waste Management Centre (landfill) will be limited to single lane traffic in both directions while crews install pipeline.  

Landfill customers are asked to be prepared for increased wait times during this period. Motorists are also reminded to keep safety as a top priority and watch for flag people and work crews in the area and obey all signs and barriers.   

The work is expected to last three weeks, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Starting at 10:30 a.m. January 24, the eastbound curb lane on Circle Drive West between 33rd Street and Airport Drive will be closed while crews remove a damaged sign.

Restrictions are expected to be lifted by 2:00 p.m., weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.  The City thanks everyone for their patience.

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through a work zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Beginning Monday, January 20, grader crews will be clearing compacted snow by neighbourhood on streets across the city. This is a proactive approach to reduce the snow pack on the roadways.  Snow pack on the roadways is what allows for the formation of ruts to develop.  As part of the increased level of service for snow management through the new dedicated road levy funding, provisions were made to include city-wide snow clearing.  The levy will be used to increase road reconstruction and rehabilitation, and increase road maintenance services.

The city-wide snow clearing will be performed only on streets that are not already designated on the priority street network for snow clearing.  These priority streets receive multiple clearings throughout the winter and do not have the applicable snow pack development.  Multiple two-grader crews will clear streets that are outside of the priority system in two neighbourhoods each day.  For residential neighbourhoods, the snow clearing will be performed during the weekdays, beginning with the first identified neighbourhoods Montgomery and Willowgrove.  The first week schedule follows and  subsequent schedules will be posted on the City’s website as the snow clearing progresses.

“The current snow pack across the city is approximately 4-5 inches, which means that ruts can and are developing at that depth.  The presence of the unseasonably warm weather we are experiencing can serve to accelerate the development of ruts that become more problematic as temperatures drop and the ruts freeze,” says Director of Public Works, Pat Hyde.  “To prevent this from happening now or in the spring after more snow has fallen, we are being proactive and clearing the streets as close to the pavement as we can.”

In order for an efficient clearing that maximizes and maintains wide driving lanes, and allows for storage of snow, all vehicles must be removed from the street.  Where and when possible, grader crews will do their best to leave at least one parking space clear for each house.  This may not always be achievable as the snow needs to be pushed to the side of the roads for storage. 

Yellow ‘No Parking’ sandwich board signs, supplemented with matching paper No Parking signs in some cases, will be posted 36 hours in advance of the scheduled clearing to notify drivers to move their vehicles.  The yellow, high-visibility sandwich boards will be posted throughout the neighbourhoods on the main roads, important intersections and high-volume traffic areas.  Vehicles left on the street within the designated neighbourhoods at 7:00 a.m. will be relocated and ticketed and ordered to pay a fine of $100 (no reduction available).  Drivers can locate their vehicle with the Find My Vehicle! application on the City’s website or by calling the Public Works customer service line at 306-975-2476 or public.works@saskatoon.ca

The street clearing schedule may be required to be changed as the program progresses, depending on the conditions of the streets.  If it snows, the clearing program will be on hold as crews are deployed to clear the priority streets.  Any neighbourhood/street that is cancelled will be rescheduled and No Parking signs will be re-posted again to notify residents.  Visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/snow to learn more about the City’s snow and ice management program or contact the Public Works customer service line at 306-975-2476 or public.works@saskatoon.ca.

Street Clearing Schedule – January 20 - 24

Monday, January 20 – Montgomery and Willowgrove

Tuesday, January 21 – Silverwood Heights and Wildwood

Wednesday, January 22 – Arbor Creek and Hampton Village

Thursday, January 23 – Fairhaven and Sutherland

Friday, January 24 – Lawson Heights and Silverspring