Emotions ran high at Saskatoon City Hall on Tuesday as approximately thirty concerned residents voiced their anxieties during the first day of budget deliberations, creating a charged atmosphere in the packed council chambers.
Citizen fears over rising costs
The personal toll of proposed tax increases was made starkly clear through heartfelt testimonies. Saskatoon resident Frank Regier delivered an emotional warning, stating, "You talk about people being homeless. I might be." He somberly added that if the city's proposed tax hikes are approved, "This is not going to be a good Christmas" for him and many others facing financial pressure.
Budget numbers and key spending areas
Chief financial officer Clae Hack presented updated figures showing the preliminary budget mill rate increase had been adjusted downward to 7.43 percent for 2026 and 5.92 percent for 2027. These revised numbers represent a decrease from the previously reported 8.23 percent and 5.95 percent increases.
The city clarified that these increases would translate to approximately $14.63 per month for a home assessed at $394,200 in 2026, and $12.53 per month in 2027. Hack emphasized that more than 70 percent of the projected rate increases are allocated to six essential areas: policing, fire services, roadways and bridges, transit, waste reduction, and snow and ice management.
Conflicting demands and environmental concerns
Councillor Randy Donauer acknowledged the difficult position facing council members, noting, "It's clear we're not going to make everybody happy this week." He emphasized his intention to focus on basic core services while recalling conversations with constituents who expressed contradictory demands—wanting reduced spending while simultaneously requesting improved city services, sometimes within the same discussion.
Representatives from environmental organizations including the Saskatoon Climate Hub and Wild About Saskatoon raised alarms about potential funding cuts to environmental projects. They stressed that financial support for these initiatives was directly integrated into the city's strategic plan, making proposed reductions particularly concerning.
Lenore Swystun of the Saskatoon Heritage Society acknowledged that administration had clearly outlined the issues with budget reduction scenarios, but didn't mince words about their impact: "Jeepers, this scenario list scared the crap out of our members," she remarked during her presentation.
City manager Jeff Jorgenson provided context by revealing that city spending per capita has actually dropped by nine percent over the past decade, indicating previous efforts to control costs. The budget discussions are expected to continue for three days, with the possibility of extension if needed, as council wrestles with balancing citizen concerns against necessary municipal investments.
