Saratoga County Approves $378 Million Budget for 2023

BALLSTON SPA —The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a $378.3 million spending plan for 2023 during its special Budget Adoption Meeting on Dec. 14 at the county complex in Ballston Spa. 

The 2023 budget reduces the property tax rate by 5%, keeping the levy within the tax cap and continuing to provide Saratoga County homeowners the lowest property tax rate in the State at $2.12 per $1,000 of assessed value, according to a statement released by the county. This will provide on average a 5% property tax cut for homeowners and businesses.  Overall, the amount reduces the overall budget by $3.2 million from the 2022 adopted spending plan. 

Numerous county employee increases – both, as part of the CBA, and as amendments to the 2023 compensation schedule to effect personnel staffing changes, were also approved for a variety of county departments. 

Specifically, salary increases of existing positions include: Chair of the Board ($30,051), Vice-Chair of the Board (22,037), Supervisor ($20,435). Budget Director ($116,672), First Deputy County Clerk – administration ($93,643); Deputy County Clerk – DMV ($91,976); Information Technology Deputy Director ($100,092); Director of Animal Shelter ($91,0330), Deputy Director of Animal Shelter ($73,002).  

Among the new positions created and their respective salaries: District Attorney department (6 new creations, approximate total $400,000); Health department (5 new creations, appx. $300,000); Sheriff department (7 new created, appx. $400,000), as well as the creation of: Airport Manager (Base $66,864), and Public Information Specialist (Base $55,167).   

The Board authorized several tourism and economic development agreements with various agencies in 2023. These include:

• $300,000 to the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, and $60,000 to the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce for Tourism & Economic Development;

• $200,000 to the Saratoga Economic Development Economic Development Corporation, and an undisclosed amount – described as Amount Set By Tax Law §1202-g(9)- to the Saratoga County Prosperity for Economic Development;

• $1.43 million to Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Saratoga County for Saratoga Co. Farm Guide update and Stormwater Management Services;

• $100,000 to Campaign for Saratoga 250th, Inc. Economic Development & Heritage Tourism; $35,000 to Saratoga Performing Arts Center for Pilot Marketing Campaign and Economic Development, and $26,000 to Saratoga County Agricultural Society for County Fair Advertising. 

Additionally, the Board of Supervisors introduced a proposed Local Law which, if approved, would provide salary increases and cost-of-living increases for 16 specified county officials. These would include: Daniel Kuhles, Commissioner of Public Health ($210,768); Tina Potter, Commissioner of Social Services ($162,150); Michelle Granger, County Attorney ($151,041); Michael Zurlo, Sheriff ($147,493); Andrew Blumenberg, Public Defender ($143,926); Scot Chamberlain, Director of Human Resources ($134,128); Craig Hayner, County Clerk ($128,357).  

A Public Hearing will be staged regarding the proposal at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2023 in the Meeting Room of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, at 40 McMaster St., Ballston Spa.