The Saratoga Springs City Council scheduled a public hearing on the 2026 comprehensive budget and discussed a proposed local law to repeal section 4.10.4 of the City Charter, the provision that allows tax-collector discounts.

Finance staff told the council the discount currently reduces the city's receipts by about $378,000 in a typical year and presented a conservative alternative estimate of roughly $260,000 in additional revenue if the discount is repealed and the city instead used short-term tax anticipation notes that would cost about $80,000 in interest. "We try to be conservative," a finance staff member said when describing the lower estimate, noting foreclosures and delinquent-tax collections can affect the final amount.

Why it matters: council members said the budget conversation will be central to upcoming decisions about the tax cap, paid-parking days, and other revenue options as the administration works on an amended budget. Mayor Stafford and councilors also scheduled a budget workshop at 6 p.m. ahead of the meeting where staff will give a brief overview of rising costs and options for departments including the senior center.

At the meeting staff emphasized the draft budget is not final. The finance agenda later listed a Discussion Vote item titled "2026 comprehensive budget" and additional specific items including "resolution to fund and utilize retirement reserve" and budget transfers for payroll and benefits.

The proposed repeal of the charter discount is appearing as a local law for public hearing; council members and staff discussed alternatives and timing but did not vote on repeal at this session. Staff described the numbers as estimates and said final figures depend on collections and the pace of delinquency resolution.

Council members asked that staff present clear options and the budget workshop was scheduled to provide more context before any formal votes.

Ending: The public hearing on the comprehensive budget and the local-law repeal will take place as advertised; council members indicated they expect further discussion and possible votes after the workshop and public hearing.