New fees proposed for special events
City staff recommend establishing “fees for service” to balance the costs of special events in Saskatoon.
City council’s transportation committee is expected to receive a report on the issue from the transportation and utilities department on Monday.
An internal review in 2016 found the city’s spending on special events is consistently over budget. The city dedicated $80,000 for the events through the Provision of Civic Services program last year, but spent more than $198,000.
To close the gap, staff recommend the city add fees for services like street sweeping, garbage collection, and road closures related to special events.
Kim Ali, race director for the Saskatoon Marathon, said the costs are necessary for the city to be able to host highly renowned events.
“If we want to have this kind of a (national) profile for our city and for the activities that happen in our city, we as a community and as a city need to invest in it,” Ali said.
The over-spending in 2016 was the latest in a trend that dates back to 2012. Special events spending by the city has been more than double the Provision of Civic Services budget every year for the last five years.
Robert Wyma, executive director of 25th Street Theatre Centre Inc., which produces the annual Fringe Theatre and Street Festival, said there will be an impact if the city decides to impose more service fees, depending on how they are implemented.
Wyma said he is confident his group and the city can work together to find the best possible solution.
“I would hope that we would be able to tell our truth in what we would be able to financially handle, and they would be flexible and understanding in talking about their needs to offset some of the costs,” he said.
Angela Gardiner, the city’s transportation director, said the city will meet with event organizers over the next few months to explore the options, which could include capping available funds for each event or establishing more criteria for events to get city funding.