Proposed tax increase goes down thanks to growth revenue

City council isn’t set to begin budget deliberations for another week, but there are already some tax savings to be had.

The City of Saskatoon says new growth revenue is $1.2 million higher than expected is helping to drive down the proposed tax bill increase by 0.12 per cent, bringing the tax rise down to 3.85 per cent.

When the preliminary budget was tabled Nov. 8, the tax increase was set to be 3.97 per cent.

The adjustment translates to a $2 savings for the average family.

The new numbers also reflect an increase in Sask Power rates scheduled for Jan. 1, along with the proposed police budget increase of nearly $700 thousand.

If council doesn’t pare down the budget further, the average family with a home valued at $300 thousand is facing a tax bill increase of $65.51.

Budget deliberations begin Nov. 30.