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Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Mid-year financials project a strong, balanced 2023 budget: restrictions to hiring, spending key
August 30, 2023 - 4:00pm
- Utilities are projecting a $5.3 million net surplus at mid-year. Any utility variance will be offset through transfers to or from the applicable stabilization reserves, if this surplus is realized, contributions will be made to the respective reserves.
- The City continues to experience inflationary impacts in 2023 including increased costs on contracts. The City can stay within budget by decreasing the amount of work to be completed.
The City of Saskatoon is on track to deliver a balanced budget for 2023. The City’s 2023 Mid-Year Financial Performance Administrative Report will be presented to SPC Finance on September 6, 2023.
“In analyzing the mid-year forecast, we estimate that at the end of this fiscal year, the Administration will deliver a balanced budget for 2023,” says Kari Smith, Director of Finance. “Our mid-year forecast is based on the most current information known to the Administration at the time of preparing this report.”
Each year, the City of Saskatoon’s Administration provides the mid-year, third-quarter and year-end reports to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance (SPC Finance) on the fiscal performance of the City’s Business Plan and Budgets. The goal of this financial reporting is to keep City Council and residents informed on the City’s financial performance as the year progresses.
Importantly, City Administration forecasts that $4.9 million will be saved through ongoing spending restrictions. These forecast savings, combined with projected underspending of $3.5 million in Snow and Ice and additional revenues of $2.5 million in Transit/Access Transit’s operating budget, are anticipated to help offset the 2023 Budget’s known financial pressures and any other forecasted shortfalls.
Details of the 2023 Budget variances are included in Appendix 1 - 2023 Year-End Projections by Business Line. Note, that the year-end figures are based on projections and estimates, and some have a high degree of volatility.
“While these mid-year financial figures are preliminary and based on data available at this time, Administration will continue to follow existing spending restrictions to minimize the potential for a year-end deficit,” adds Smith. “We continue to tightly monitor all discretionary spending and keep to our hiring restrictions which have been in place since 2020. We will, of course, balance these measures with the need to continue providing good value in the delivery of all civic services to the residents and businesses we serve.”
Additional key information/ results from the mid-year financial reporting:
City Administration will provide the next 2023 financial performance report through its third-quarter projections in November 2023.
Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for more information on the City's multi-year budget planning process.
Black cart size options and proposed curbside residential garbage utility fees to be presented to committee
August 30, 2023 - 4:00pm
The City Administration will next week present a plan designed to give households more choice on what they pay for garbage collection. On Tuesday, September 5, Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services (EU&CS) will hear details on cart size options, timelines and proposed rates for the garbage utility in 2024.
As previously directed by Council, the funding source for black cart garbage services will shift from property taxes to a utility model in 2024. Three different black cart sizes will be available to eligible households with curbside collection.
“Our aim is to offer residents a range of cart sizes that align with the waste requirements of their households,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “With the success of the Green Cart Program, there is less waste in the black carts. The variable utility model means that households will have more control over their costs and only pay for the waste they actually produce.”
The cart sizes include the current large (360L) as well as a medium (240L) and a small (120L – 135L) black cart. Requests to change cart size will be accepted beginning in January 2024 with smaller black cart deliveries expected in the spring. There will be no fee for a household’s initial cart swap to allow residents sufficient time to right-size their carts.
A fixed utility rate of approximately $9.92 per month will be in place for all residents with curbside garbage collection until cart swaps are completed. The variable utility fees will not be implemented until mid-year following cart swaps. The proposed monthly utility rates for black cart services are approximately as follows: small (120 L – 135L) cart - $3.73, medium (240 L) - $7.05 and large (360 L) - $10.58 and can be seen here. A process for property managers and condo boards to manage bulk requests is being developed.
If Administration's recommendations are endorsed by Committee, they will be formally approved by City Council at its meeting on September 27.
The variable cart options will increase residents’ control over their costs and encourages reduction of waste by providing financial incentives for waste diversion. Communities that use similar approaches have seen their waste diversion rates increase by 5-17%, as residents improve their use of diversion programs and find new ways to reduce their general waste generation.
Program details for the $100 per year low-income Waste Utility Subsidy will also be included in a separate report presented at EU&CS.
Garbage collection will remain bi-weekly year-round. To view your collection calendar, visit saskatoon.ca/collectioncalendar or download the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app.
Daily Road Report - August 31, 2023
August 30, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
4TH AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 22ND ST E
(Emergency watermain repairs)
Start: August 31, 8:00 a.m. End: August 31, 6:00 p.m.
CONFEDERATION DR SB TURN LANES & NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO LAURIER DR
(Minor bridge repairs)
Start: August 31, 9:00 a.m. End: September 1, 3:00 p.m.
SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM 3RD AVE S TO 20TH ST E
(Nutrien Fireworks Festival)
The boat launch will be closed to the public
Start: August 31, 5:00 p.m. End: September 3, 1:00 p.m.
20TH ST W ROAD CLOSED FROM AVE C S TO AVE D S
(Hearts Have Fallen Vigil)
Start: August 31, 8:00 p.m. End: August 31, 10:30 p.m.
ONGOING
CLARENCE AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM HILLIARD ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Water & sewer installation)
Start: August 29, 8:00 a.m. End: August 31, 4:30 p.m.
BUTE ST ROAD CLOSED FROM WILLIAM AVE TO HANOVER AVE
(Weaver Park upgrades)
Broadway Ave intersection closed at Brute St.
Start: July 25, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 4:30 p.m.
SPADINA CRES E INTERSECTION CLOSED AT 22ND ST E
(Infrastructure upgrades)
Start: August 14, 7:00 a.m. End: September 7, 5:00 p.m.
MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT JASPER AVE
(Infrastructure upgrades)
Start: August 8, 7:00 a.m. End: September 15, 5:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 24, 6:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AIRD ST TO OSLER ST
(Contractor work)
Start: July 21, 7:00 a.m. End: September 29, 6:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E EB LANES CLOSED FROM WARMAN RD TO PRESTON AVE N
(Bridge rehabilitation)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the WB lanes.
Start: June 25, 5:00 a.m. End: November 1, 5:00 p.m.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Spadina Crescent closed from 3rd Avenue to 20th Street starting Thursday
August 30, 2023 - 7:00am
Spadina Crescent will be closed from 3rd Avenue to 20th Street starting Thursday, August 31, at 5:00 p.m. for the Nutrien Fireworks Festival staging area. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the event zone. This event is scheduled to end on Sunday, September 3rd at midnight, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances. There will be no access to the boat launch during this time.
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.
20th Street closed between avenues C and D Thursday evening
August 30, 2023 - 6:00am
20th Street will be closed between Avenue C and Avenue D on Thursday evening, August 31, starting at 8:00 p.m. for the Hearts Have Fallen Vigil. This event is scheduled to end by 10:30 p.m.
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.