City Council approves 2024 Operating and 2024/2025 Capital Budgets

Yorkton City Council approved the 2024 Operating and 2024/2025 Capital Budget at the February 26^th council meeting. The City thanks all residents, organizations and business owners in Yorkton who filled out the online Public Review form or spoke to Council or Administration in the weeks leading up to budget adoption.

The approved budget includes an increase in total taxation revenue of $983,745 (or 3.5%). The City aims to continue to invest in city assets and infrastructure improvements, while continuing to provide the same levels of services as the prior year. Key items affecting all departments include costs increases related to inflation, the carbon tax, and rising construction costs.

The breakdown of the increase is:

• Capital – 1%
• Operations – 2.5%

This represents an increase of roughly $6.15 per month for property tax for the average homeowner, or roughly twice that for an equally valued commercial property.

With regards to the Water Utility, this budget includes the previously approved 4.6% increase to water rates as well as the $3 per month increase to the residential water base charge. Residents will see a total increase of approximately $5 per month towards their utility bills. This increase allows the City to manage its aging underground infrastructure.

Operating Budget Highlights (2.5%)

Just like everyone else in Canada, the City is affected by above average levels of inflation. As inflation sits around 4% or higher, this affects all the goods and services the City requires to operate. Electricity, power, fuel prices etc. are all key items included. Additionally, the carbon tax that the City pays on utilities and fuel alone equals approximately 1% of all tax revenue, and continues to grow.

To offset inflationary items and carbon tax, the City looked for cost savings where possible, trimming operating line items, as well as increasing user fees across many recreational programs.

Capital Budget Projects (1%)

The Capital Budget includes a 1% increase to taxes, or roughly an addition of $280,000. This brings the annual capital budget total to $5,189,000 for 2024. Since this is a two year capital budget, there is a 1% (minimum) increase for 2025 for the capital budget as well.

Some large 2024 capital projects include traffic signal and pole replacements at Broadway & Myrtle, downtown street lights upgrades, Highway 10 East upgrades, continued funding for the York Road reconstruction project, equipment purchases, and various HVAC, equipment and roof repairs at the water pollution and water treatment plants.

More information about the budget, including a detailed listing of capital projects can be found at www.yorkton.ca/budget