Saratoga Springs Approves Increase in City Council Wages

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The City Council this week approved a Local Law that will increase the wages of future councilmembers, starting with the next City Council in 2026. 

Currently the five council members each receive $14,500 annually. Beginning in 2026, the four commissioners will receive $27,456 per year, and city mayor $42,456 annually.

Wages specific to the five council members have not seen an increase for at least the past 15 years. Each of the five seated members is an equal voting member in city government. The general consensus allowing for the higher increase specified in the mayoral seat is that by being the city’s official representative, the position requires an investment of additional time. 

The measure was approved by a 3-2 vote, with current Mayor John Safford and Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll voting against the resolution.    

Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi said the four commissioner salaries were based on a minimum wage formula that works out to about 33 hours per week and also allowed those employed to meet the state’s 1:1 ratio in the N.Y. State retirement system.    

The length of each councilmembers’ term will remain at two years. In November 2025, all four commissioner positions as well as the mayor’s seat will be up for election.