State Budget Includes Near-$200K AIM Boost for Saratoga Springs

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi released a statement April 22 to applaud the changes in the 2025 New York State Budget, which includes an increase of $50 million for Aid to Municipalities (AIM), to be allocated to cities and towns across the state. 

Saratoga Springs will receive an increase of $191,566 in 2025, raising the total aid to $1,841,267, Commissioner Sanghvi reported. 

“This is the first increase in AIM funding in 15 years. Saratoga Springs, like many communities, has been advocating for a closer look at municipal aid,” Sanghvi said in a statement. “I brought forward a resolution in March which passed 5-0, and we sent a letter to the NYS legislature and the governor to advocate for an increase. The city also joined 370 other cities, towns and villages requesting an increase.” 

Saratoga Springs had previously received about $1.6 million in aid through the AIM program, which remained flat aside from changes during the pandemic. In 2013, it was 4.25% of the city budget, and in 2023 it was just 2.7%. In that time, the city budget grew from $39.8 million to $57 million. 

“Small cities need this partnership from the state to fulfill their community responsibilities. AIM is unrestricted funds, which means it can be used wherever the city most needs it.” Sanghvi said. “I’m grateful to our governor and state legislature for their advocacy during the budget process.”