Saratoga County Unveils $432 Million Tentative Budget For 2025

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County officials have proposed a $432 million budget for 2025, up from $410.1 million budget adopted for this year, and the $378.3 million budget adopted for 2023.  

The County’s 2025 tentative budget reduces the property tax rate for the fourth consecutive year, and “maintaining its position as having the lowest property tax rate of all 55 upstate counties,” according to the county statement, released on Nov. 6.  

Budget Workshops are slated to take place this month with a proposed Public Hearing tentatively slated to take place Dec. 3 and proposed budget adoption on Dec. 11.  

The tentative $432 million budget:

-Keeps the levy within the state’s property tax cap and reduces the property tax rate by 5%. Tax rate: $1.87 per $1,000 of assessed value. This equates to a 15% reduction in the property tax rate over the past four years. 

– Sales tax revenue projection for 2025: $170 million. The conservative projection comes as the County saw a slower growth rate during the second half of 2024, a trend which officials expect to continue in 2025. 

“In the face of higher inflation, unfunded mandates, and a sluggish economy, the 2025 tentative budget is a testament that Saratoga County’s conservative fiscal practices and responsible spending choices that help to maintain the County’s low property tax rate while also delivering robust programs and services our residents rely on,” Saratoga Springs Supervisor and Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Matthew Veitch said in a statement. 

In 2025, unfunded state and federal mandates will cost Saratoga County more than $80 million.  According to the county release: This is more than the county’s share of the property tax levy, requiring 100% of the County property tax to be allocated to unfunded mandates, which includes Medicaid, temporary assistance, early intervention, among many others. The burden of unfunded mandates was further strained in 2024 when the State shifted federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage payments from localities to its own coffers. 

-Saratoga County continues to invest in its public safety workforce, welcoming more than 30 new deputies over the past 12 months and ensuring ongoing funding for key training initiatives for seasoned staff as well as new hires. These efforts supported in the 2025 budget will ensure first responders have the necessary skills and equipment to respond to man-made or natural disasters, such as the July 2024 tornado in the towns of Edinburg and Day, as well as day-to-day public safety matters.  

-The 2025 tentative budget prioritizes: resources for health and human services initiatives and programs, funding and staffing for social services programs residents of all ages depend on, including early intervention, child welfare, foster care, Medicaid, and temporary assistance. In 2025, the County will also continue to pursue a permanent Code Blue Shelter location to help address homelessness. 

-The proposed budget also continues the County’s commitment to veterans. With the largest veteran population in the Capital District, Saratoga County’s proposed 2025 budget provides support for the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support program, which helps veterans re-assimilate to civilian life. 

-Saratoga County continues to support youth and families through funding for programs that encourage youth to abstain from drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and vaping. This includes welcoming back its special speaker’s series for school districts, which addresses addiction and empowers students to choose abstinence.  The tentative budget also provides for increased funding for the Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act (ATUPA) program to prevent the sale of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and accessories to anyone under the age of 21. 

-Environmental health expansion: the 2025 tentative budget provides for a funding increase of more than $1 million for the Department of Health for technology upgrades including a new online payment and permitting system and clean water supply testing equipment. 

-Elections security and integrity initiatives: to ensure safe and secure elections across Saratoga County, investments include equipment upgrades, including new voting machines, and staff training. 

-Commitment to preserving open space: maintaining its partnership with Saratoga PLAN as land manager for the Graphite Range Community Forest and with its expansion of the popular Zim Smith Trail, which sees more than 300,000 travelers annually. 

-Economic development: partnerships with organizations such as SEDC and Discover Saratoga as well as support of the 250th Anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga commemoration and the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga. 

For more information, to view the budget brief, and to read the full 2025 tentative budget, visit https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/county-budgets/.