What the City of Saskatoon is spending your property tax increase on in 2017
After Saskatoon city council approved a 3.89 per cent increase to property taxes, here's a look at what the city plans to spend it on.
City council approved 3.89% increase
Saskatoon homeowners are facing a 3.89 per cent property tax increase after city council wrapped two days of deliberations on the 2017 budget.
That means the owner of a house worth $325,000 will be paying an extra $66.18 in taxes next year. That will generate $7.9 million for the city's operating budget.
Here is a breakdown on what the city plans to do with the money:
- $3.9 million is dedicated to fixing and maintaining roads in the city.
- $1.1 million is dedicated to clearing snow and ice from the roads.
- $2.9 million will go toward programs and services offered by the city.
How much is the city spending, and on what?
Here is a look at some highlights of how the city plans to spend its $812-million operating budget.
- $61.47 million will go to building and maintaining roads in the city, as well as clearing snow and ice, and street sweeping.
- $97.5 million will be invested in the Saskatoon Police Service, which includes adding six new constables.
- $41 million will go to Saskatoon Transit.
- $5 million is being invested into the city's Access Transit service, including adding new drivers.
What will the city be working on?
Here are some highlights of the city's $260-million capital budget
- $28.7 million is being invested into infrastructure for transit. Part of that money will also go toward planning for the Federal Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.
- $21.6 million will be used to repair, replace and renew existing water and wastewater infrastructure.
- $7 million is going to improving landfill sustainability.
- $32.1 million will be used to preserve roads and sidewalks.
- $5.3 million will go to replacing Fire Station No. 3.