finance

Every home has some risk for flooding during spring snow melt and rain storms. The City of Saskatoon and SGI CANADA are sponsoring a national pilot program to help Saskatoon homeowners understand their flood risk and take measures to protect their property from flooding.

Saskatoon homeowners can register now for a free or partially-subsidized professional Home Flood Protection Program home assessment – valued at $450 - to help identify their flood risks. The subsidized Home Flood Protection Program inspections will be available to the first 400 Saskatoon homeowners to register in 2018. 

Up to 100 homes that meet the criteria for high flood risk areas are eligible for a free home assessment. Other homeowners are eligible for a subsidized rate of $125. (Homes that qualify for free assessments will have already received a notice from the City of Saskatoon indicating their eligibility.)

In brief, here are four items of public interest that were discussed during the April 2018 City Council meeting.

• 2018 Property Tax Levy
• Residential Fire Pit
• Storm Water Pond Safety Review
• Joni Mitchell Promenade - River Landing

Following extensive review of the 2018 Preliminary Corporate Business Plan and Budget, November 27 and 28, 2017, Mayor Charlie Clark and City Councillors​ approved the 2018 Business Plan and Budget which includes a property tax increase of 4.70%. While continuing to face significant non-tax revenue pressures such as declines in provincial funding, the approved budget will fulfill and maintain the City’s investment plans, service level commitments and dedicated civic programs that residents rely on.

The 4.70% property tax increase will be allocated as follows: 2.78% attributed to provincial funding reductions, 1.17% to Police Services, and 0.75% to be invested in all remaining civic programs and services. Without a funding gap left as a result of declines in provincial funding, the 2018 property tax increase would have been 1.92%.