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Saratoga Springs council approves pay increase, mayorto receive larger salary for 2026
Summary
The City Council approved a local law changing council salaries effective Jan. 1, 2026, tying pay to 2026 minimum wage; the adopted version sets a higher salary for the mayor. The measure follows public comment and debate over pension reporting, fairness and long-term budget impacts.
The Saratoga Springs City Council on Feb. 4 approved a local law that raises council pay effective Jan. 1, 2026, tying compensation to the 2026 Upstate New York minimum wage and creating a higher salary for the mayor.
Supporters said the increase is intended to allow council members to participate in the New York State Retirement System and to reflect inflation since the existing $14,500 figure was set in 2001. Opponents and several public speakers questioned the methodology used to compute hours worked and raised concerns about process and fiscal impact.
Commissioner Sangvi said the proposal ties the council salary to minimum wage so members can participate in state retirement and noted the city payroll treats the role as a 33-hour workweek for retirement reporting. Supervisor Madigan, drawing on her own experience, told the…
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