On June 25th there will be a Democratic primary in the City of Saratoga Springs. The incumbent Commissioner of Finance, Michele Madigan, is running on her record of Budgeting for the present and planning for the future. The Commissioner has been in office since 2012 and has got the job done for the taxpayers. The fact that there has been NO municipal tax increase in seven annual budget cycles is astounding. No other Capital District City can come close to that record!
She has maintained AA+ Bond rating for the City. That means the lowest interest rates when financing large projects and infrastructure upgrades.
Also, the city has a healthy reserve fund to deal with employee retirements and other costs.
Michele oversaw development, working with Sustainable Saratoga, of a 2-megawatt Solar park on the closed city landfill on Weibel Avenue. This has reduced city electrical costs by 40%. This environmental statement has been recently coupled with the City Council approval of the Paris Climate Accords.
Commissioner Madigan has established a Smart City Commission and road map, pulling together educational, business, nonprofit and business leaders to collaborate on technology and energy practices. Expanding fiber optics and broadband is being pursued.
Michele initiated setting aside two city-owned parcels for Affordable housing built by Habitat for Humanity.
Commissioner Madigan created a partnership with New York State to fence in our local dog park on Crescent Avenue to enhance safety for all who use it.
She has improved the city website giving additional transparency to the workings of city government.
The record is quite clear, she has earned reelection. If you want to gamble, there is a racetrack in the City that opens on July 11th. Don’t take a chance with our fiscal health. Remember IT IS YOUR MONEY.
- Hank Kuczynski, Saratoga Springs
