By Lasia Kretzel

Saskatoon posts $1M deficit in first quarter

May 19, 2015 | 7:32 AM

As Saskatoon wraps up the first quarter of the fiscal year, the city is slightly in the red with a $1.043 million deficit.

The three biggest money losers this quarter were transit ($1.17 million), light and power ($980,000), and waste services ($775,000).

Transit lost money because of decreased ridership, discounted passes and fewer cash and ticket sales. The administration said transit is trying to mitigate the deficit with cost-control efforts on non-critical expenditures, general marketing plans, and a targeted plan related to the University Bridge closure.

Reduced energy and heating sales and a delayed Provincial Multi-Material Recycling Program contributed to the light and power, and waste services deficits respectively.

Meanwhile street cleaning ($519,000), snow removal ($461,000), police ($300,000) and recreation competitive facilities ($300,000) were also over budget. Additional staff, training, and increased services led to the street cleaning and snow removal overspending which will be mitigated with preventative maintenance, better management of contractors, and cuts to overtime hours.

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Overtime, contractual obligations and increased facility and operating maintenance all led police to go over budget while fewer Leisure Card sales and indoor rink rentals put recreation facilities over.

Parks maintenance and design was $50,000 over budget because of increased staffing to remove snow from park pathways.

Not every department was in the red. Taxation and general revenues were up $1.065 million because of increased payments from the provincial utility crown corporations. Environmental health was also projecting a $351,000 surplus for waste handling, and reduction and resource recovery.

The lower cost of oil also helped the City’s fleet services save $350,000.

The City administration says it will take “all reasonable measures” to balance the books by the end of the year.

news@panow.com

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by Lasia Kretzel

Saskatoon posts $1M deficit in first quarter

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