Month: October 2023

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.

[JK: I received this email from Ed Lindner regarding Bikeatoga festivities this month. Sounds like fun!]

Bikeatoga is thrilled to be partnering with the Saratoga Regional YMCA on the first annual Saratoga FoliageRide this October 7^th and 8^th! Check out the video!!

Want to help? You can share our FB post! Want to volunteer? You can sign up here.

Want to ride!  Please sign up!.  And invite those out of town friends you like to cycle with (if you don’t want them staying in your house, check out our partner hotels!).  

It’s going to be a great cycling weekend!  This is a ride, not a race and foliage should be at or near peak. 

Start your morning with a hearty and healthy buffet breakfast catered by 9 Miles East.  Here’s the menu!  Ride at your own pace on one of three routes each day – 30, 50, and 75 miles – with full SAG support. 

Saturday’s rides will celebrate the 246^thanniversary of the Battle of Saratoga.  Ride the back roads through the fields where American forces first defeated the British army.  And don’t be surprised if you hear muskets and cannon fire.  Re-enactors portraying Continental soldiers and British Redcoats will be in the Saratoga National Historical Park that day!  

Sunday’s rides will follow beautiful routes through fields, farmlands and gorgeous Fall foliage. 

After the ride, relax, shop and dine in downtownSaratoga Springs. All participants will get a commemorative t-shirt and a day pass to the Saratoga YMCA facility – unwind with a swim, sauna, HydroMassage (addt’l fee) or afternoon yoga class after the ride!