According to the city charter, the Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner is required to submit the city’s budget for the following year at the first meeting of the Council in October.
On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, Commissioner Sanghvi did a PowerPoint presentation of the 2024 budget. Unfortunately, neither the powerpoint presentation nor the proposed budget were available on any links to the agenda so the public was not able to be familiar ahead of time with what she was presenting. The endemic poor quality of the meeting broadcast for those watching at home (regular screen freezes and sound blips for all participants, including Council members) also made the public’s ability to follow Commissioner Sanghvi’s presentation challenging. The proposed budget and her presentation are now available on the city’s website–if you can find them.
Here are some highlights:
-there will be a tax increase for the second year in a row
-the budget includes an unprecedented and stunning drawdown of $3,000,000.00 from the city’s fund balance.
-In spite of approving numerous staff increases for her office as well as the Mayor and the Accounts Commissioner in the past year, Sanghvi has now proclaimed there will be no new hires in 2024 (including a position to address the unprecedented backup in FOIL requests)
Sanghvi blamed the tax increase primarily on inflation and the failures of the previous administration.
Saratoga Springs Politics 
Will you explore what are the perceived “failures of the previous administration?”
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Of course the blame goes elsewhere.
Couldn’t be mis management of current council. Wake up Saratoga!
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It would be a good idea to ask former Commissioner Madigan to weigh in on these comments about the alleged failures of past administrations. Also, it would be helpful to have a better explanation of why the liability insurance increased so significantly. Did liability insurance increase to the same degree for all municipalities?
Chris Mathiesen
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Anyone who has been paying attention to City Council meetings likely felt the Sanghvi has been a failure as a commissioner, and this budget shows that to be the case. Drawing so so much from fund balance, especially when inflation is so high and the city has been hit with emergencies from COVID to lightning strikes, is ridiculous. Didn’t she hire herself an assistant last year, despite no finance commissioner ever needing one previously? Like Kim, Moran and Montagnino, she needs to get voted out ASAP.
Shame on the city democratic committee.
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Unfortunately, Moran and Sanghvi are unopposed in November’s election. That means 2 more years of “taking notes” while the citizens, who speak at the public comment period, are begging for attention. And 2 more years of Moran just taking up space at the City Council table.
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Are Commissioner Sanghvi’s notes able to be foiled?
Her powerpoint presentation was mostly performance art with the expected attack on Commissioner Montagnino and her added personal commentary. Sam Brewer correctly called her out on that BS.
What specific expenses did the previous administration cause?
Former Commissioner Madigan review would be useful.
The damage Minita can do in the next 2 years is concerning.
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