2025 TENTATIVE BUDGET
HIGHLIGHTS
- Reduces the County’s Property Tax Rate by 5%, keeping it under the State tax cap
- Provides homeowners with the lowest property tax rate amongst Upstate counties at $1.87 per $1,000 of assessed value.
- Prioritizes investments in important programs and services to benefit our residents.
- Delivers a $432 million budget for 2025, maintaining the lowest per capita spending rate of any county in the state.
LOWER PROPERTY TAXES &
FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE PRACTICES
The proposed $432 million budget reduces the property tax rate by 5%, keeping the levy within the state’s property tax cap and continuing to provide Saratoga County homeowners one of the lowest property tax rates in the State at $1.87 per $1,000 of assessed value. This is the fourth consecutive year the County has reduced or held the property tax rate, equating to a 15% reduction over the time period.
The County makes a conservative sales tax revenue projection for 2025 of $170 million, amidst higher inflation, a sluggish economy, and uncertainty in future consumer spending habits. The conservative projection comes as the County saw a slower growth rate during the second half of 2024, a trend which officials expect to continue in 2025.
The County’s debt service remains less than 1% of the County’s operating budget, helping to maintain the County’s high AA+ rating from Standard & Poors (S&P).
Saratoga County Property Tax Rate Per $1,000 of Assessed Value
UNFUNDED MANDATES
In 2025, unfunded state and federal mandates will cost Saratoga County more than $80 million; this is more than the county’s share of the property tax levy, requiring 100% of the County property tax to be allocated to unfunded mandates, which include Medicaid, temporary assistance, early intervention, among many others.
The burden of unfunded mandates was further strained in 2024 when the State shifted federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage payments from localities to its own coffers. Despite rising costs of unfunded mandates, the County continues to make considerable investments in critical programs and services residents depend on, such as public safety, health and human services, and infrastructure.
PUBLIC SAFETY & COUNTY SERVICES
Reaffirming our commitment to public safety by investing in critical emergency services and training
Supporting Public Safety
The tentative budget continues the County’s investment in public safety with funding for law enforcement training, updates to critical emergency communications systems, and continued support for emergency preparedness and response efforts.
Saratoga County continues to invest in our public safety workforce, welcoming more than 30 new deputies over the past 12 months and ensuring ongoing funding for key training initiatives for seasoned staff as well as new hires.
These efforts supported in the 2025 budget will ensure first responders have the necessary skills and equipment to respond to man-made or natural disasters, such as the July 2024 tornado in the towns of Edinburg and Day, as well as day-to-day public safety matters.
Supporting the County Workforce
To maintain the high standard of services Saratoga County is known for, the Board of Supervisors is supporting the County workforce through this budget with significant investments in personnel, benefits, and training across all departments.
Investing in Elections Security
The County continues to invest in elections security and integrity initiatives to ensure safe and secure elections across Saratoga County. These investments include equipment upgrades, including new voting machines, and staff training.
HUMAN & SOCIAL SERVICES
Serving residents of all ages through a wide variety of programs
Supporting Seniors
The 2025 tentative budget prioritizes resources for health and human services initiatives and programs. Saratoga County continues to support its large aging population with considerable allocations to the Senior Nutrition Program, which provides home-delivered and congregate meals to senior citizens countywide; transportation services that provide elderly residents with safe and reliable transit to and from important destinations such as medical appointments or grocery shopping; and other support services.
Helping Veterans
The proposed budget also continues the County’s commitment to veterans. With the largest veteran population in the Capital District, Saratoga County’s proposed 2025 budget provides support for the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support program, which helps veterans re-assimilate to civilian life.
Prioritizing Social Services
The 2025 tentative budget prioritizes funding and staffing for social services programs residents of all ages depend on, including early intervention, child welfare, foster care, Medicaid, and temporary assistance. In 2025, the County will also continue to pursue a permanent Code Blue Shelter location to help address homelessness.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Prioritizing public health initiatives that make Saratoga County one of the healthiest counties in New York State
Substance Abuse Prevention
Saratoga County continues to support youth and families through funding for programs that encourage youth to abstain from drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and vaping. To that end, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors will welcome back its special speaker’s series for school districts, which addresses addiction and empowers students to choose abstinence.
Vaping & Smoking Prevention
The tentative budget provides for increased funding for the Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA) program to prevent the sale of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and accessories to anyone under the age of 21.
Technology Investments
As the County continues its environmental health expansion, the 2025 tentative budget provides for a funding increase of more than one million dollars for the Department of Health for technology upgrades including a new online payment and permitting system and clean water supply testing equipment.
OPEN SPACE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Making smart investments in initiatives that benefit communities in all
corners of Saratoga County
Preserving Open Space
The Board of Supervisors also continues its commitment to preserving open space, maintaining its partnership with Saratoga PLAN as land manager for the Graphite Range Community Forest (GRCF) and with its expansion of the popular Zim Smith Trail, which sees more than 300,000 travelers annually.
Investing in Economic Development
Saratoga County continues to prioritize economic development through partnerships with organizations such as SEDC and Discover Saratoga as well as support of the 250th Anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga commemoration and the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.
These important investments help to create sustainable growth, job opportunities, and enhanced quality of life for Saratoga County residents, businesses, and visitors.
