As 2025 concluded, Saskatoon StarPhoenix conducted a series of check-ins with first-year city councillors, including Ward 7 representative Holly Kelleher. The councillor, who represents a diverse area encompassing older neighbourhoods like Avalon and Queen Elizabeth as well as suburban communities such as Stonebridge and The Willows, shared her reflections on a challenging budget year and her strategic focus for the period ahead.
Navigating a Historically High Budget
Councillor Kelleher identified the 2026-27 municipal budget process as a defining experience of her first year. She noted the budget began at a historically high baseline, influenced significantly by new collective bargaining agreements and a substantial police budget that required council approval. The largest portion of the mill rate increase was directed to the Saskatoon Police Service, a move Kelleher stated was in response to public demand for enhanced policing.
Beyond personnel costs, the councillor highlighted the severe impact of inflation on core municipal operations. The city purchases vast quantities of materials like asphalt, concrete, sand, and salt, and Kelleher reported that inflation has driven the cost of these essential items up by 25 to 35 percent. This financial pressure severely limits fiscal flexibility.
"It doesn't leave a lot of room to maintain a static or decrease in the mill rate without making significant cuts somewhere," Kelleher explained, underscoring the tight constraints facing the city's finances.
Collaboration and the Deliberation Process
Despite the difficulties, Kelleher expressed satisfaction with the overall budget deliberation process, praising the collaborative effort of council. Her primary suggestion for improvement was logistical: she advocated for scheduled breaks during the marathon sessions required to pass the budget. "It can be a little taxing to maintain your focus for four days straight," she remarked.
A notable part of the process involved council reviewing a list of potential additions to the budget with limited funding available. These items ranged from a new zookeeper to critical radio communication infrastructure. Kelleher voiced curiosity about the fate of unfunded items, many of which she deemed important. She pondered whether some initiatives might need alternative funding sources or if they simply represented the cost of maintaining existing service standards.
Strategic Focus for the New Year
Looking forward, Kelleher revealed that each councillor has adopted specific strategic priority areas. Her assigned portfolio is parks, culture, and recreation. She plans to delve deeply into this file to identify opportunities for development and to craft strategic plans that will have a tangible impact on community life in Saskatoon.
Kelleher, who joked about having "a lot of priorities," also emphasized her ongoing effort to balance her duties at City Hall with active engagement in her ward. "This role doesn't come with a job description," she noted, highlighting the adaptive and multifaceted nature of the work. Her broader focus areas include city finances, homelessness, and maintaining core services for her constituents.
