Saratoga Springs City Council on May 6 approved the city’s final fiscal year 2025–26 budget and an accompanying pay plan while keeping the city’s property tax rate unchanged.

The council adopted Ordinance 25-32, the city’s FY2025–26 final budget and pay plan, following a public hearing at the start of the meeting. The motion to approve was moved by Councilman Comber and seconded by Councilman Wilden; the vote was recorded as unanimous (Wadman: Aye; Karn: Aye; Wilden: Aye; Macomber: Aye; Garman: Aye). The council also approved routine consent items earlier in the meeting without opposition.

The city budget as presented includes higher line items for elections and upgraded fleet and equipment replacement. City staff told the council that the pay plan is adopted so the money is budgeted but distribution of pay increases remains contingent on individual merit and performance; market adjustments for certain positions take effect July 1 for a small subset of roles.

Council members discussed the mechanics of market benchmarking and the potential for repeated adjustments to escalate salary baselines; one member asked for a future work session to review specific market adjustments before they are applied. No public comments were offered during the budget hearing.

Council members repeatedly noted that sustained growth and sales-tax-driven revenues have allowed the city to avoid a tax increase; speakers recalled prior tax changes and reductions in the city’s history but said the decision tonight was to maintain the current rate while funding roads and other capital priorities.

The council recessed the meeting later for related agency meetings (Community Development and Local Building Authority) where separate budget items were also approved.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 25-32, FY2025–26 Final Budget and Pay Plan (no tax increase): Moved by Councilman Comber; seconded by Councilman Wilden; outcome: approved unanimously (Wadman, Karn, Wilden, Macomber, Garman voting Aye).
- Consent items motion approving listed consent agenda items: moved and seconded; outcome: approved unanimously.

Context: The council approved operating and capital spending for the coming year while explicitly budgeting for pay plan adjustments that will be applied based on employee performance. Council discussion flagged the higher cost of running elections as a continuing local expense and asked staff for follow-up briefings on benchmarking and specific market adjustments.

Less critical details: Council members asked staff to return with more detail on market adjustments in a future discussion; staff said code updates affecting election candidate packets were incoming and would be posted promptly.