Proposed 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets Available for Public Review

The City of Yorkton has released its proposed 2023 budget, which includes an increase in total taxation revenue of $1,052,000 (or 3.93%).

The proposed budget includes the City’s plan to invest in city assets and infrastructure improvements, and continue to provide the same level of service to residents as the prior year. A large portion of the increase goes towards paying for the inflationary cost increases on many expenses incurred by the City including power, energy, fuel and construction costs.

The breakdown of the proposed increase is:

• Capital – 1%
• Operations – 2.93%

This represents an increase of roughly $6.50 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 4.75% 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 better keep on top of its aging underground infrastructure.

Operating Budget Highlights (2.93%)

Just like everyone else in Canada, the City is affected by above average levels of inflation. As inflation sits at about 7% or higher, this affects all the goods and services the City requires to operate. Items like asphalt and aggregates used in construction are up 15-25%, electricity is up 8%, and energy is up more than 17%. High fuel prices affect the mobilization of equipment as well as drives up the cost of nearly all products the City purchases.

To offset inflationary item, the City looked for cost savings where possible, trimmed many operating line items, as well as launched a user fee increase of approximately 5% across many recreational sales items, as well as increasing the interest on tax penalties.

Capital Budget Projects (1%)

The Capital Budget includes a 1% increase to taxes, or roughly an addition of $267,000. This brings the annual capital total to $4,910,000 for 2023. Since this is a 2 year capital budget, there is a 1% (minimum) increase for 2024 for the capital budget as well.

Some large 2023 capital items include the York Road project, upgrades to the Kinsmen Arena Ice System, upgrades to the Water Tower and a new Airport Terminal Building.

Projects proposed in the 2024 budge include Traffic Signal and Pole Replacements, Highway 10 East Upgrades, and upgrades to parks and facilities around the City.

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

The City encourages the public to review the budget and provide any comments or questions through the public review form available online, which will be open until February 13 at 12 p.m. The results will be presented to City Council at the Regular Council Meeting on Monday, February 13, 2023.