2013-14 BUDGET SUPPORTS MUNICIPAL GROWTH IN SASKATCHEWAN

Municipalities will receive record revenue sharing for the third straight year, helping to foster economic growth and enhance the quality of life for Saskatchewan people.

In 2013-14, $264.4 million in municipal revenue sharing will be provided, an 11.4 per cent increase from the previous year and a 108 per cent increase over the 2007-08 Budget.  Overall, provincial funding to municipalities in 2013-14 will be $362 million, up $19.6 million from 2012-13 Budget and up $120 million, or nearly 50 per cent, from 2007-08 Budget.

“We recognize the important role that Saskatchewan municipalities play in our province’s growth,” Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said.  “We will continue to work with municipal leaders in support of safe and vibrant municipalities that can effectively respond to the challenges of growth, promote economic opportunities and enhance the quality of life for Saskatchewan citizens.”

In 2013-14, urban revenue sharing for all cities, towns, villages and resort villages rises 11.9 per cent to $170 million.  Revenue sharing for rural municipalities which includes organized hamlets, rises to 8.5 per cent to $74.7 million.  Revenue sharing for northern municipalities rises 18.6 per cent to $19.7 million.

This year, Saskatchewan’s three newest cities - Meadow Lake, Martensville and Warman - move from the town/village revenue sharing pool to the city pool – another sign of our province’s continued growth.

Saskatchewan's largest city, Saskatoon, sees municipal revenue sharing increase 12 per cent to $47.3 million in 2013-14 and Regina will receive municipal revenue sharing of $41.1 million in 2013-14, also up 12 per cent from the previous year.  Revenue sharing totals for individual municipalities can be viewed at www.gr.gov.sk.ca/revenuesharing.

As Premier Brad Wall announced last week, the province is holding the line on education property tax in 2013.  The overall value of property has increased 67 per cent over the last four years, a sign of a strong and growing Saskatchewan economy.

Education property tax mill rates have been lowered, and while some property owners may see taxes go up because of assessments that went up more than average, overall the changes to rates keep the revenue from education property tax neutral in terms of re-assessment.

The 2013-14 Budget will also provide $50.9 million in provincial support to municipal infrastructure through a number of ministries and programs including:

• $33.4 million from the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure through programs that support municipal roads, urban connectors and truck hauling agreements;
• $13.3 million from the Ministry of Government Relations through provincial and federal-provincial-municipal cost-shared infrastructure programs; 
• $3.2 million from the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport for the Building Communities Program; and 
• $1.0 million in new funding from the Ministry of Agriculture to rehabilitate irrigation bridges on municipal roads.
   
  The budget also provides funding to municipalities from other ministries, which include grants for libraries, urban parks, policing and other programs, totalling $46.7 million.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Nicole Fellinger
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2687
Email: nicole.fellinger@gov.sk.ca