Saskatoon's mayor issues promise of efficiency

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark is talking up the city's record of cost cutting today, and is issuing a promise that the work to find efficiencies is not over.

People are expecting us to make sure that their tax dollars are spent wisely.- Charlie Clark

"Given the city's recent reduction in funding [from the provincial government], it is important that the work of finding cost savings continues, Clark said. "It is also a priority of mine to get the basics right, and I believe that this is what the citizens of Saskatoon expect and deserve from the city."

City hall has been conducting an in-house search for ideas to try and chip away at next year's proposed tax rate increase. The latest estimate is about 5.77 per cent, down from almost seven per cent. In house ideas included everything from an amusement tax, to charging for garbage use.

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Citizens worried, mayor touts tradition of cost saving

Clark is today praising the work that has been done. At the same time, Clark said, people expect more.

"Through conversations, emails, social media messages, and phone calls, I am continuing to hear from citizens that they are concerned about potential tax increases," adding that "people...are expecting us to make sure that their tax dollars are spent wisely and with the largest impact possible."

Clark also said that the city has a long standing record of exploring and implementing improved services while at the same time cutting costs. He invited citizens to explore that record by taking a look at the recently released Saskatoon Strides: 2016 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability.