Saskatoon police projected to be $2.6M over budget this year

Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.

That shortfall will be covered by a reserve fund, since municipalities are not allowed to run an actual deficit.

Meanwhile, the city’s utilities are expected to record a $12.3-million surplus, but that will not affect the operating budget since utilities like water, Saskatoon Light & Power and waste management operate separately.

The report will be presented next week to council’s governance and priorities committee.

In the next two-year budget, police will be getting increases of 8.62 per cent next year and 6.16 per cent in 2027. Police spending will rise to 25 per cent of all city hall spending for the next two years. The police workforce is set to grow by 49 new employees, plus nine new officers dedicated to safety on buses.

Police spokesman Joshua Grella said the increase in spending stems from a binding arbitration award on the police contract that came late in 2024, after the police budget had been passed. The board of police commissioners decided to use a reserve fund to make up the difference.

Outside of police spending, city hall achieved a surplus, despite a $3.5-million shortfall in snow and ice management.

In a mid-year forecast, the city anticipated a $1.2-million surplus and police expected to balance their budget.

Revenue from parking and parking tickets is yielding $694,300 and $271,000 less than expected, respectively.

The main driver of the surplus on the utilities side comes from water and wastewater operations due to low spring rainfall, staff vacancies and less money spent on chemicals and fuel.