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Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Non-property tax options outlined for Downtown Event and Entertainment District.
September 8, 2023 - 2:15pm
- Accommodations Tax: A charge applied to short-term hotel, motel, hostel and online platform stays, as already exists in many Canadian municipalities.
- Facility Fee: A charge applied to event tickets, as is already in practice at SaskTel Centre and TCU Place.
- Tax-Increment Financing (TIF): A property tax revenue with a defined geographic boundary (i.e., the District), generally only used in areas of redevelopment.
- Parking Revenue from New Parking Structure: Net funding from the City-owned parking structure.
As part of planning for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District, the City engaged KPMG LLP (KPMG) to conduct an in-depth report on potential non-property tax revenue instruments that could be implemented to help pay for the project. This analysis will be presented as an information report at the September 13, 2023, meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee.
“This report helps us understand the various options out there that will assist us in creating a financial plan with minimal impact on taxpayers,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer. “It provides us with the data and information necessary to refine our projections and bring forth a draft funding plan.”
Hack stresses any use of these instruments has not been approved by Council. The purpose of the report is to quantify any potential revenues for each instrument and to update Council and the public on the status of the work so far.
“There is much more to do, including extensive engagement with the province and industry groups, before any formal approvals are requested or received to implement any of these financial instruments,” Hack says.
Out of five non-property tax revenue instruments analyzed by KPMG, Administration has identified four options that warrant additional analysis:
“These types of funding tools have been used successfully by many other municipalities, in Canada and other countries,” he says. “This is not re-inventing anything, rather it is looking at best-practices and what has worked elsewhere to create a made-in-Saskatchewan solution.”
The full scope and financial plan for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District has not been finalized and this KPMG analysis provides valuable information as a starting point to continue establishing full project cost estimates and funding requirements.
The full report, including the complete analysis by KPMG, can be found on the meeting agenda.
Orange banners being installed around city
September 8, 2023 - 10:45am
- Banner #1: More than 150,000 attended residential schools
- Banner #2: Many never returned home
- Banner #3: It isn’t just Indigenous history
- Banner #4: It is our shared history
- Banner #5: We are telling our stories
- Banner #6: Every Child Matters
- Banner #7: Over 160 years of pain
- Banner #8: But together we can heal
- Banner #9: Saskatoon Survivors Circle – ayacimoyok “We are telling our stories”
- Banner # 10: Commitment to Reconciliation
In the lead-up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30), 205 orange banners with reconciliation messages are being installed on light poles across the city. The banners, which were first unveiled in September 2022, are one way the City communicates it commitment to Reconciliation. The intent is to display them annually each September-October.
The orange banners are displayed on both sides of the river, connecting the west and east sides of the city. This signifies the building of bridges throughout our community.
There are 10 different banners, reading as follows:
The City’s 2023 Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30) will traverse a portion of the Orange Banner Project route. You can learn more about Rock Your Roots by connecting to the Facebook Event.
Whether participating in Rock Your Roots or not, Saskatoon residents are encouraged to take note of and reflect on the banners’ messages this fall. The banners feature area Residential School Survivors and their descendants and serve as a reminder to all of us that Truth and Reconciliation is up to every individual in our community.
The Orange Banner Project is an initiative of the City of Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Tribal Council. The 2023 installation was made possible with the support of Reconciliation Saskatoon and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon Indigenous Reconciliation Fund.
City of Saskatoon announces significant progress in Sidewalk Safety Repair Program
September 8, 2023 - 8:00am
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Criteria such as safety and pedestrian use has been adopted to more effectively prioritize sidewalk repair work.
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Improved tool and method for capturing relevant inspection information enables better decision making.
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A new work planning system empowers crews to prioritize and execute work orders more efficiently.
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A new process for tracking and reporting Key Performance Indicators has improved transparency, accountability, and program management.
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The creation of a central information database enables prompt and comprehensive responses to residents' inquiries.
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Improved cross-departmental collaboration has resulted in better coordination of repair work with other programs such as sidewalk replacement program.
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Improved resourcing has resulted in timelier and better-quality inspections, including improved capacity to deliver more work.
In addition to the City’s Major Preservation Program for sidewalks, City crews undertake minor repairs to numerous sidewalks to improve safety and mobility for pedestrians.
The Sidewalk Safety Repair Program has undergone major enhancements over the last three years. This has led to the completion of nearly 18 km of sidewalk safety repairs in 2021 and 2022, representing a substantial increase to an average of 2.6 km typically completed in the years leading up to 2021. The program remains on track for continued progress in 2023, with 2.8 km of sidewalk repairs already completed this season.
“The City of Saskatoon remains committed to keeping sidewalks well-maintained, accessible and safe for all pedestrians,” says Goran Saric, Director of Roadways, Fleet and Support.
Recognizing the importance of well-maintained sidewalks, the City's new process for inspecting, prioritizing, and then repairing damaged sidewalk panels that create safety concerns has yielded substantial increase in accomplishments. More than 1,600 sidewalk concerns were resolved in 2021 and 2022.
The advancements in the program included several process and resource improvements:
“The success of the Sidewalk Repair Program exemplifies City’s dedication to continuous improvement and serves as a testament to the positive impact of collaboration, innovation and effort,” says Saric.
Saskatoon boasts a network of 2,386 km of sidewalks, spanning a distance of about half the width of the United States. This essential infrastructure is crucial to the mobility and safety of residents across the city.
To report a sidewalk safety concern, please call our Customer Care Center, available 24/7 at 306-975-2476.
More information on sidewalk repairs is available at saskatoon.ca/sidewalks.
McKercher Drive access ramp to College Drive westbound closed Sunday
September 8, 2023 - 7:00am
McKercher Drive access ramp to College Drive westbound will be closed on Sunday, September 10, at 6:00 a.m. to replace streetlights. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take six hours to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Broadway Avenue closed between 8th and 12th streets on Saturday
September 8, 2023 - 6:45am
Broadway Avenue will be closed between 8th and 12th streets on Saturday, September 9, starting at 6:00 a.m. for the Broadway Street Fair. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This event is expected to end by 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.