Saskatoon councillor announces retirement after 16 years of service

A long-time city councillor in Saskatoon is calling it quits after 16 years of service.

Tiffany Paulsen, councillor for the city'sWard 9, announced during a council meeting Tuesday afternoon that she won't be seeking re-election in Saskatoon's civic election in the fall.

When she stood at a point of privilege and said that she was going to be resigning, I couldn't believe my ears at the time.- Mayor Don Atchison

"This was a very, very difficult decision that's evolved over time between myself and my husband and my kids," explained Paulsen to reportersafter the meeting.

"I feel very privileged that I've had the opportunity to serve the public in this way and I'm sad about leaving but right now, as I've said, I have two very young children that I need to have more time in the schedule to be focused on them," she said.

Paulsen was the youngest person ever elected to the Saskatoon City Council in 2000 at the age of 27. She was re-elected in 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012.

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"One of things that I would say that I'm most proud about is the only factor that has ever motivated a decision, or motivated me to make a decision here, is what I thought was in the best interest of Saskatoon," Paulsen said.

"I always made decisions based on what I thought was best for the community and for no other purpose or reason."

She currently sits on over 20 local, provincial and national boards, commissions and committees.

Mayor shocked at announcement

"It was a real bombshell," said Mayor Don Atchison. "When she stood at a point of privilege and said that she was going to be resigning, I couldn't believe my ears at the time."

For 19 years, Atchison said he has worked alongside Paulsen at city hall.

"Saskatoon today is much poorer off with the announcement of councillor Paulsen retiring at the end of this term," he added.