Saskatoon plans to release prelim budget same day as federal election

At the same time as they head to the polls for the federal election, Saskatoon taxpayers will get an early look at whether city taxes are going up and by how much.
 
On Oct. 19, when Canadians decide the next federal government, the City of Saskatoon plans on releasing its preliminary budget for 2016. That will include a preliminary proposal for a 4.6 per cent property tax increase. Included in the increase is 0.25 per cent slated for the Saskatoon Police Service after Chief Clive Weighill requested eight additional officers.
 
In April, the city revealed its new budget-planning process including an online tool where taxpayers can see exactly where each tax dollar is spent and a video explaining how city budgets work.
 
Last year, city council passed a budget with a 5.34 per cent tax increase and in 2014 that increase came in at 7.43 per cent.