02/24/2026
Sharing Commissioner of Finance JoAnne Kiernan's state of the city address:
"This evening’s remarks include a brief overview of the City’s finances, recognizing that a strong and transparent fiscal foundation is critical to all City operations.
Saratoga Springs entered this year in a position of overall financial stability. We adopted a balanced budget that continues to fund the services residents rely on every day — public safety, public works, infrastructure, and core city operations, essential city services that keep our community safe, functioning, and moving forward.
At the same time, we must be honest about the financial pressures we are facing. Like cities across New York State, Saratoga Springs is experiencing rising costs that are largely outside of our direct control — including employee health insurance, retirement contributions, liability insurance, and contractual obligations. These costs grow each year regardless of economic conditions, and they place real strain on municipal budgets.
To maintain services while managing those pressures, recent budgets have relied on significant use of fund balance. In 2025 over $3.3 million in fund balance has been used to support ongoing operations. While fund balance can be an important tool during periods of transition or uncertainty, it is not a sustainable long-term solution for closing recurring budget gaps. Reserves should protect us against emergencies and economic downturns — not replace stable, recurring revenue.
That reality means we must continue to make careful, disciplined financial decisions. We are examining spending growth, managing vacancies responsibly, reviewing overtime and operational practices, and looking closely at how we deliver services — not to reduce quality, but to ensure efficiency and accountability. We are also reviewing revenues and fees to make sure they are fair, reasonable, and aligned with the cost of providing services.
Just as important, we are committed to long-term financial planning. That includes responsible capital planning for infrastructure, reducing reliance on one-time fixes, and being honest about future obligations so we are not passing today’s problems on to tomorrow’s taxpayers.
Our goal is clear: to protect the City’s financial health while continuing to invest in public safety, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and quality of life. These are not easy choices, but they are necessary ones — and they will be made with transparency, fiscal responsibility, and respect for the residents who ultimately fund this government.
Saratoga Springs is a strong city. With thoughtful planning and disciplined budgeting, we can keep it that way — not just for this year, but for years to come."
