Saratoga Springs proposed 2025 budget unveiled

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi presented the 2025 comprehensive budget on Tuesday. The budget, totaling $62,592,633, will not increase property taxes in the city.

58% of the general fund budget will go toward the Department of Public Safety, 20% will go to the Department of Public Works, and the remaining 22% will go to the rest of the departments. In terms of how much money will go towards these departments, here is the full list breaking that down:

• Department of the Mayor: $4,539,521 (7%)
• Department of Finance: $4,422,304 (7%)
• Department of Public Works: $12,240,223 (20%)
• Department of Public Safety: $36,434,388 (58%)
• Department of Accounts: $1,856,113 (3%)
• Department of Recreation: $2,840,983 (5%)
• Department of Civil Service: $259,101 (0.41%)

The full budget and presentation can be found on the Saratoga Springs website.

“Our city’s primary budget challenge is rising expenses that are out of our control, such as health insurance and utilities. These have outpaced revenue growth,” explained Sanghvi. “As far back as 2022, it was clear to me that Saratoga Springs needed new revenues to support the growing cost of providing essential services to the community. During my tenure as Finance Commissioner, we have added new revenue streams – cannabis tax, seasonal paid parking, and increased ambulance transportation fees, and we may add short-term rental sales tax to those, provided Governor Hochul signs the bill passed by the New York State Legislature earlier this year.”