As Saskatoon City Council approaches critical budget decisions later this month, Mayor Cynthia Block and Councillor Bev Dubois have outlined key priorities and challenges facing the municipality.
Business Forum Reveals Top Concerns
Mayor Block recently fulfilled a campaign promise by hosting a business forum, originally intended to occur within 100 days of the election. Despite the one-year delay, the event proceeded as a collaborative workshop.
The forum brought together approximately 75 participants, including local business owners, Police and Fire Chiefs, city council members, and city administration staff.
Block described the event as an opportunity to think differently about how we teach and learn together and improve conditions for local enterprises.
A comprehensive survey distributed to every licensed business in Saskatoon generated over 700 responses. The results confirmed what many suspected: taxes, homelessness, and community safety emerged as the predominant concerns among business owners.
Block noted that businesses consistently requested better communication channels with city officials. All feedback from the forum is being compiled to determine whether similar events should be held in the future.
Budget Deliberations and Cost Responsibility
With budget deliberations scheduled to begin on November 25, council members are preparing to address complex financial decisions.
Councillor Bev Dubois highlighted that a significant report will be presented during deliberations, detailing costs that may have been transferred from provincial to municipal responsibility.
We only have so much money, and we can't be all things to everybody, Dubois emphasized, reflecting the fiscal constraints facing the city.
Dubois revealed that council members have requested this cost analysis report annually for several years, particularly concerning projects related to homelessness, which traditionally falls under provincial jurisdiction.
The councillor explained that while affordable housing isn't technically within municipal responsibility, the city has consistently participated in such initiatives because of community needs.
Looking Ahead: Fiscal Priorities and Limitations
Both officials acknowledged the challenging balance between service delivery and fiscal responsibility. The upcoming budget deliberations will force difficult choices about which programs and services the city can realistically support.
Dubois stressed the importance of different levels of government sticking to their designated responsibilities, suggesting that blurred lines between provincial and municipal duties have created financial strain.
The positive response to the business forum indicates strong interest in continued dialogue between Saskatoon's business community and city hall. As Block observed, It bodes well that people really want to have a conversation with city hall.
With budget discussions looming, these conversations between municipal leadership and stakeholders will inform how Saskatoon allocates its limited resources to address pressing community needs while maintaining financial sustainability.
