There is a Democratic Primary on June 25 and the only item on the ballot will be for the Office of Commissioner of Finance. I am excited about my decision to seek reelection for a fifth term as Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance and proud that my candidacy has been endorsed by the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee.
I’d like to provide a summary of my activities and successes since taking office in 2012.
As Commissioner of Finance I am the city’s Chief Fiscal Officer, so one of my key responsibilities is to propose our budgets and property tax rates. My 7 proposed budgets were all adopted by the City Council and had no property tax increases. The city’s reserves and fund balances are healthy and strong, and we have a stellar AA+ bond rating. I took advantage of the bond rating and low interest rates to refinance city debt, saving taxpayers $3.6 million. Furthermore, due to our strong financial position we were able to manage through the complex issues forced on us by the August 2018 City Hall fire without increasing property taxes.
When I entered office in 2012, the city was in dire financial straights. We were in the red, we lacked reserves and fund balances, and we had just laid off police officers, firefighters, DPW workers and others at city hall. We were the only city in the great state of New York that had such layoffs – and we did not need to do this. Who you elect Finance Commissioner is important.
Budgeting is not my only responsibility. Under my leadership the city placed the 2.5-megawatt Spa Solar Park on the Weibel Avenue Landfill. Since breaking ground in September 2017, this array of 7992 state-of-the-art solar panels have provided 40% of the city’s energy needs while offsetting 1.3 million trees’ worth of CO2 emissions.
I created the Smart City Commission in February 2016 to set Saratoga Springs on a path to becoming a smarter city by implementing much needed technology in our downtown to keep the city safer.
In 2013 I led the effort to set aside city-owned parcels for affordable housing projects with Habitat for Humanity resulting in three new affordable homes in Saratoga Springs. We have also taken steps that will lead to state tax incentives for affordable housing projects on South Broadway and the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority.
My other successes while in office include a partnership with the SPA State Park to oversee the construction of a safe, fenced-in dog park; a complete overhaul of the city website that now includes transparent budget materials; adopting a mechanism for online payment of taxes and utilities; and economic development initiatives with Universal Preservation Hall and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
In summary, I have always tried to be an effective leader that collaborates with my colleagues on the City Council and with other community leaders to improve our quality of life while maintaining stable property tax rates and enhancing essential city services. I thank the voters for placing their trust in me and allowing me to serve this great city, and I humbly request your vote for reelection on June 25th so that I can continue to budget for the present while planning for the future and ensure our city’s continued success. Thank you.
- Michele Madigan, Democrat | Commissioner of Finance, Saratoga Springs
