PUBLIC MINUTES

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 1:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Via Teleconference Hosted in the Council Chamber, Saskatoon City Hall

PRESENT:

• Councillor C. Block, Chair
• Councillor R. Donauer, Vice Chair
• Councillor B. Dubois
• Councillor Z. Jeffries
• Councillor D. Kirton
• His Worship Mayor C. Clark (Ex-Officio)

ALSO PRESENT:

• Councillor S. Gersher
• Councillor H. Gough
• Councillor M. Loewen
• Chief Financial Officer K. Tarasoff
• Solicitor C. Bogad
• City Clerk A. Tittemore, in Council Chamber
• Deputy City Clerk S. Bryant, in Council Chamber
• Committee Assistant V. Saini, in Council Chamber

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis people and confirmed roll call of the members in attendance via teleconference.

• Moved By: Councillor Donauer

  That the Standing Policy Committee on Finance suspend the rules to provide all members of City Council in attendance with the same speaking privileges as Committee members.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois
  1. That the following letters be added to Item 5.1, and that the speakers be heard:
     1. Requesting to Speak
        1. Jason Aebig, the Chamber, dated August 30, 2021.
     2. Submitting Comments
        1. Cameron Choquette, Saskatchewan Landlord Association, dated August 30, 2021;
        2. Keith Moen, North Saskatoon Business Association, dated August 30, 2021;
        3. Cary Tarasoff, dated August 30, 2021; and
        4. Sherry Tarasoff, dated August 27, 2021.
  2. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.
  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of conflict of interest. 

4.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Moved By: Councillor Kirton

  That the communications in Items 4.1 to 4.3 be received as information.

  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.1

Comments - Gary and Hilda Johnson [File No. CK 430-72 x1700-1]

A communication submitting comments from Gary and Hilda Johnson, dated June 18, 2021 was provided.

4.2

Comments - Lloyd Moker - Sutherland Business Improvement District - Proposed Commercial Tax Increases [File No. CK 430-72 x1700-1]

A communication submitting comments from Lloyd Moker, Sutherland Business Improvement District, dated June 23, 2021 was provided.

5.

REPORTS

5.1

2022 and 2023 Indicative Budget – Additional Information [File No. CK430-72 x CK1700-1]

The Deputy City Clerk reported that the Governance & Priorities Committee, at its June 21, 2021 meeting, considered a report entitled Setting the 2022 and 2023 Indicative Budget and resolved, in part, that special Budget Review meetings be arranged for the Standing Policy Committee on Finance to undertake a deeper review of the proposed 2022/23 budget.  The purpose of the review would be to explore options to address the property tax pressure residents and businesses are facing in this unprecedented year, while also recognizing the need to maintain quality services and address strategic priorities of City Council.  That there also be opportunities for stakeholder engagement as part of this process.  A copy of the report was provided.

A report providing additional information was also provided along with the following letters.

Request to Speak

• Jason Aebig, the Chamber, dated August 30, 2021

Submitting Comments

• Cameron Choquette, Saskatchewan Landlord Association, dated August 30, 2021;
• Keith Moen, NSBA, dated August 30, 2021;
• Cary Tarasoff, dated August 30, 2021; and
• Sherry Tarasoff, dated August 30, 2021.

 

 

Director of Finance, Smith provided an overview of the report. Chief Public Policy and Government Relations Officer, Jordan provided a more detailed overview of the report with a PowerPoint and answered questions.

The meeting was recessed at 2:58 p.m. and reconvened at 3:08 p.m. with all members in attendance.  

• Moved By: Councillor Dubois
  1. That the Administration provide a report breaking down capital and operation budget expenditures that were approved by City Council through 2021 for the 2022/2023 budget that are not related to core services and service levels.
  2. That the Administration provide a report back on user fees policies and cost recovery for optimal revenue budget.
  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
• Moved By: Councillor Donauer
  1. That the Administration report on comparative data for 2020, 2021, 2022 for tax increases and/or forecast tax increases in Edmonton, Calgary, Regina and Winnipeg.  The report should also comment on significant initiatives in each municipality to reduce or hold tax increases.
  2. That the Administration bring a report with strategic options to reduce expenditures for 2022 & 2023 to bring expenditures more in line with the current revenue increase.
  
  

  In Favour: (6)

  Councillor Jeffries, Mayor C. Clark, Councillor Donauer, Councillor Block, Councillor Dubois, and Councillor Kirton

  
  
  
  CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.

COMMUNICATIONS

4.3

Comments - Brenna Bailey - Tax Increases [File No. CK 1920-1 x1615-1]

A communication submitting comments from Brenna Bailey, dated August 19, 2021 was provided.