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Council amends charter to remove $15,000 mayor stipend after heated public comment
Summary
The council voted to amend Section 2.1 of the city charter to remove the $15,000 mayoral stipend; the measure drew extensive public comment and divided council debate before passing by a 4–1 margin.
The Saratoga Springs City Council voted to amend Section 2.1 of the City Charter to remove the $15,000 stipend that had been added to mayoral compensation. The proposed local law (referenced in the agenda as Local Law No. 5 of 2025) was the subject of a public hearing and extended public comment before the council debate and vote.
Why it matters: Council members and members of the public framed the issue as one of equity among elected officials, fiscal stewardship and political intent. Supporters of removing the stipend argued council members should be paid equally; opponents and several public speakers characterized the change as political and said the mayor’s job requires additional compensation because of time and external duties.
Public comment during the hearing included statements both for and against the stipend. Michelle Madigan, identified in the record as a Democratic candidate for mayor, said she “supported the stipend when it was first enacted” and called the council’s push to reverse it “political.” Richard Sellers urged equal treatment among elected members. Other residents urged consistency in council actions and for the body to focus on other priorities such as paid parking and infrastructure.
In council debate, members discussed options including indexing compensation, mileage or expense reimbursement alternatives, and using a charter commission or salary study to set compensation levels. Legal and procedural points were also raised about whether pay levels must be stated as a fixed amount in the charter.
The motion to amend Section 2.1 of the charter passed by a recorded voice vote; the meeting record indicates the measure passed by a four‑to‑one margin. The council directed that purchasing and human resources staff prepare options for reimbursing travel and event expenses and asked staff to report back. The change to the charter will take effect in accordance with local law timing and was recorded on the council’s agenda as enacted at this meeting.
Council members emphasized they will pursue policy work on reimbursement and consider broader compensation studies in future charter or commission work.
