Canadian city approves $6.84M federal funding plan for stormwater upgrades

Yorkton, Saskatchewan city council approved a plan to submit $6.84 million in federal infrastructure funding claims tied to the York Road stormwater reconstruction project.

The council authorized the submission of a $6.84 million plan targeting the drainage ditch and storm pipe components of the York Road project, with the city clerk directed to sign the required declaration affirming the information's accuracy and the project's compliance with fair tendering practices.

The approval came under a deadline. The federal government notified the city Jan. 27 that future CCBF payments would be withheld unless a new plan was submitted by Feb. 27.

The city receives approximately $1 million annually through the CCBF program, formerly known as the Municipal Gas Tax Program, which funds large-scale capital projects. Yorkton has used the program in past years to offset costs for highway improvements, street lighting, roadway reconstruction and stormwater management.

The York Road submission marks the city's second attempt at securing CCBF approval for the project. An earlier application submitted in December 2022 was denied because it included too many eligible project categories. Administration then narrowed the scope to focus exclusively on stormwater infrastructure, which officials said accounts for the highest dollar value of any component of the project and best fits within the program's requirements.

According to the city's latest municipal funding summary, Yorkton has $7.76 million in unallocated CCBF funds available, enough to cover the full project cost and satisfy federal reporting requirements through 2028.

Although the city continued receiving annual CCBF payments during the period without an approved plan, those funds were held in deferred revenue and did not affect the city's bank balance or monies available for the capital budget.

The administration recommended the stormwater focus both to comply with CCBF guidelines and to minimize future administrative burden by maximizing eligible costs under a single project category, reducing the need for multiple plan submissions in coming years.