Tax hike looms as city council begins budget talks

Saskatoon city councillors are sharpening their pencils and getting ready for budget deliberations.

Discussion on the city’s 2014 budget begins Tuesday with city administration is proposing a 7.26 per cent tax hike that would see the majority of the increase will go toward roads.

Some councillors say they will be looking for savings but most admit say there isn't a lot of wiggle room when it comes to and bringing down the proposed tax hike.

"I think this is a trim budget, we'll have to see at budget deliberations,” said Ward 3 councillor Ann Iwanchuk.

Of the proposed increase, 4.29 percent would be dedicated to roads, including fixing potholes and resurfacing, and the city is also looking to put an additional $1.8 million into the snow program to have residential streets cleared twice a year. A number of councillors say spending in those areas will likely remain untouched.

"I have heard over and over again from residents in my ward and across the city that they want to see the needs rather than the wants dealt with and I think this budget does that, especially with the road and snow and ice program,” Iwanchuk said.

The Saskatoon Police Service is asking for seven more city-funded positions including five patrol officers and one missing person's co-ordinator.

Chief Clive Weighill says the service has been able to bring down crime by 40 per cent by keeping the police to population ratio steady and with the city's population boom these officers will help maintain that ratio.

"We've made some good successes and we don't want any slippage on that so we have to keep pace with the city,” Weighill said.

Coun. Randy Donauer says he'll be looking at the way the city does business and delivers service to see if any money can be saved.

"I'll be looking at the efficiency review that the city does every year and see if we can find more efficiencies."

City administration says it has already identified $1.4 million in savings through efficiencies, which means council may have to look deep to find more.

Budget deliberations are scheduled to run Tuesday and Wednesday. If council comes to a consensus the 2014 budget could be approved when discussion concludes Wednesday.