By Shane O'Neill

Budget deficit and PST revenues focus of SUMA convention in Saskatoon

Feb 10, 2017 | 4:33 PM

The fallout from the province’s $1.2 billion budget shortfall continues to generate discussion across Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) annual convention wrapped up on Thursday, and representatives from Prince Albert spent the week in frank discussions with their counterparts from other municipalities and the provincial government.

Don Cody, Ted Zurakowski, Charlene Miller, Evert Botha, Dennis Nowoselsky and city manager Jim Toye all travelled to Saskatoon for the convention on behalf of Prince Albert.

Mayor Greg Dionne, who was away on holiday and did not attend the convention, was briefed by manager Toye and his colleagues on council on Friday. He said the major issue his representatives discussed was the province’s plan to reduce the $1.2 billion deficit.

“One of the concerns that we have, of course, is they’re talking about changing the PST formula, so I’m in the process now of confirming those figures with my director of finance,” he said.

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Dionne explained the city had anticipated a reduction of $380,000 in its share of PST revenue from 2016, but with the increase in the provincial deficit, that reduction may be closer to $400,000. Even so, the city has options.

“We were prepared to eat the $380,000 in our budget, and we may still be able to eat the $400,000” Dionne said on Friday. “If not, we’re going to go back to the budget and make a few cuts, because we’ve already to our tax increase for the year.”

Also at the convention, Toye accepted an award on behalf of city staff for meritorious service during last summer’s Husky Oil Spill. He said the award was humbling, and a nice recognition for the hard work done by city staff behind the scenes.

“They recognized what we did during the Husky Oil Spill, as far as innovation with the 30 km line, the 6 km line and using the storm retention pond and how we built on a partnership of various organizations to assist us,” Toye said.

As for upcoming provincial conventions, Dionne said he will be participating in the 2017 SARM convention in Saskatoon, as well as observing the upcoming provincial budget deliberations in March.

shane.oneill@paNOW.com

On Twitter: @stroneill