SaskatoonShortening the outdoor pool season. Closing a city-run recreation facility for the summer. Delaying the debut of Link transit. Hiking golf fees. These are among 108 options to reduce the property tax increase that Saskatoon city council will consider next week during budget talks.Higher-than-expected tax revenue shrinks proposed increase to 7.43 per cent heading into talksPhil Tank · CBC News · Posted: Nov 20, 2025 11:46 AM EST | Last Updated: 10 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.The closure of George Ward Pool, which opened in 1965 in Saskatoon, is among the options to be considered by city council to reduce property tax increases in 2026 and 2027. (City of Saskatoon Archives 1048-0456)Shutting down George Ward Pool for good. Closing a city-run recreation facility for the summer. Delaying the debut of Link transit. Hiking golf fees.These are among 108 options to reduce the property tax increase that Saskatoon city council will consider next week during budget talks.The proposed tax hike, which was initially estimated in June at 9.9 per cent for next year, has shrunk to 7.43 per cent due in part to more than double the expected revenue from assessment growth — money from construction, big renovations and property upgrades.Saskatoon now estimates $3.9 million for next year from assessment growth, up from the early estimate of $1.4 million.The proposed tax increase of 7.43 per cent still ties the highest in Saskatoon history, from 2014 when a new levy dedicated to road repair was introduced.The proposed tax hike for 2027 is currently 5.92 per cent.For comparison, Regina is facing a preliminary property tax increase of 15.69 per cent next year based on revenue and expense projections. Council will now consider a smorgasbord of options from city bureaucrats to decrease the property tax hike through reduced services, higher fees, shifting money around or delaying spending.If all the options were approved, the budget could be slashed by about $9 million next year and $13 million in 2027.Those cuts and adjustments would reduce the tax increases to 4.76 per cent next year and 2.3 per cent in 2027. But they would also mean big changes for Saskatoon residents.The proposal that would bring the most savings is to reduce spending on road repair by $1.1 million both years, essentially moving the city from a standard of paving every 20 years to every 25 years.Another would delay increases in funding to launch the Link bus plan, now scheduled to debut in 2028, by $500,000 next year and $500,000 or $1 million in 2027. That could delay Link until 2030.Redirecting revenue from River Landing to general city coffers would add $535,500 next year and $71,000 in 2027. Raising parking ticket fines by $10 would yield an extra $500,000 in 2027.Pool of savingsSome of the suggestions seem likely to be contentious.One would close George Ward Pool in the Holliston neighbourhood for good to save $152,100 starting in 2027. A city report says the outdoor pool, which opened in 1965, is near the end of its life and due to be replaced in five years, with no funding plan in place.Meanwhile, a proposal to slash the season for all outdoor pools to only July and August would save $126,100 starting next year.Shortening the hours city-run recreational centres are open by one hour would save $352,100 starting next year. Closing one indoor recreation centre for June to August would save $249,200 starting next year.Increasing fees at recreation centres would raise $261,400 next year and $278,800 in 2027 (at a 2.5 per cent increase each year) or $278,700 and $261,100, respectively (at a five per cent increase each year).A change to the operational model for city-run golf courses would phase in a five per cent fee jump over two years to collect $105,000 more each year.Bus bucksCouncil is expecting a report from city administration on increasing transit fares. But that report is not yet ready.Other options to be considered include reducing bus service on routes with low ridership during midday hours from Monday to Friday to save $624,000 next year and $208,000 in 2027.Another proposal would cut all transit service by one hour at the end of the day (meaning the last buses would leave downtown at 11:30 p.m. instead of 12:30 a.m.). This measure would save $499,400 next year and $166,500 in 2027. But it would also reduce ridership by about 1.5 per cent, according to the report.Budget talks will begin on Tuesday. There are three days scheduled, but they could go longer.ABOUT THE AUTHORPhil Tank is a journalist in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon council gets 108 options to reduce tax hikes
