Savings • Service • Sustainability

Staff at the City of Saskatoon are working hard to build a successful and thriving city. A big part of this is looking for ways to be cost-effective and efficient, so that we can provide high-quality services and spend less money doing it. This means being creative, problem-solving, and collaborating to have the best results possible.

Each year, the City releases a report that highlights the past year’s success in improving service delivery, creating savings, and making our city more sustainable. Below are some of the highlights, and the full report can be found online:

Savings

• The City overhauled its approach to cellphone use and contracts, and this will save over $3.1M over the next five years.
• The Wastewater Treatment Plant is using methane gas produced at the plant for heating, and this will save approximately $300,000 a year in natural gas costs.
• City vehicles were equipped with GPS and telematics helping to provide information on fuel usage and idling. As this is expanded, this could save up to 20% in fuel costs per year, or $500,000 to $650,000 saved annually.

Service

• The City passed a new public engagement policy to modernize and improve the ways that we go about engagement and consultation.
• Work continued in implementing a new comprehensive software program for the City. This will create efficiencies and allow for better customer service. In the first six years, this is expected to provide $40 million in financial and efficiency savings. After that, ongoing savings of approximately $10 million per year are expected.
• The Saskatoon Field House underwent renovations to install a new track, enhanced court layouts, and improved accessibility of the lobby.
• Saskatoon Transit reached an important milestone of having a 100% accessible fleet.
• The Fire Department conducted a review in 2019 of service coverage, resulting in more responsive emergency service to residents.

Sustainability

• The City received $3.6M in funding from the Low Carbon Economy Fund to help replace street lights with LED blubs and create a combined heat and power system within St. Paul’s Hospital.
• City Council adopted a Triple Bottom Line Policy to help enable more responsible and sustainable programs and policies at the City.
• The City partnered with the University of Saskatchewan to study pharmaceuticals in wastewater and the potential impact on water bodies and the environment.
• The Climate Adaptation Strategy outlined 30 actions and initiatives in four areas the City can take to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach to climate adaptation.