2026 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
- Strong Investments in Core Services: Prioritizes funding for law enforcement, senior programs, and essential safety-net services that directly benefit residents.
- Efficient and Responsible Spending: Delivers a balanced $434 million budget for 2026, continuing Saratoga County’s record of maintaining the lowest per-capita spending rate among all New York counties.
- Keeps Property Tax within State Cap: Homeowners will see a 5% reduction in the County Property tax rate.
UNFUNDED MANDATES & THE IMPACT OF THE NEW YORK STATE TAX CAP
The $434 million budget includes a 5% reduction in the County property tax rate, necessary to remain within the State’s property tax cap given the County’s ongoing growth in taxable assessed value. Under the budget, the County’s property tax rate will be $1.77 per $1,000 of assessed value.
In 2026, unfunded state and federal mandates are projected to cost Saratoga County more than $86 million – an amount that exceeds the County’s entire property tax collections by more than $8 million. These mandated costs continue to escalate each year, placing pressure on local resources and requiring the use of reserve funds to meet these obligations. Further, county officials warn potential reductions in federal and state funding could impact essential programs and operations.
Saratoga County Property Tax Rate Per $1,000 of Assessed Value
PROJECTED SALES TAX REVENUE
& DEBT SERVICE
For 2026, the County projects $170 million in sales tax revenue, reflecting a prudent and conservative estimate considering ongoing inflation, a tightening labor market, and uncertainty in consumer spending.
Debt service remains below 1% of total operating expenditures, supporting the County’s continued AA+ (S&P) and Aa1 (Moody’s) credit ratings, which are among the highest in New York State.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Reaffirming our commitment to public safety by investing in critical emergency services, officer safety, and transparency initiatives
Sheriff’s Office
Increased investment in AXON enterprise systems. $1,558,942.
Equipment and software investments for the Sheriff’s Office will increase officer safety and support transparency efforts with upgrades to all tasers, systems related to body cameras, and records management for the department.
Emergency Management
The budget provides funding for the first year of a strategic 5-year initiative to modernize and enhance the county’s mission-critical radio communication infrastructure. This project will transition the county’s radio communication network from legacy Motorola GTR infrastructure to modern Motorola DBR Multicarrier Radio Sites, thereby enhancing system capabilities, increasing
operational efficiency, and ensuring long-term reliability and P25 compliance across all 13 tower sites within a five-year time frame. The current infrastructure will be obsolete by 2031.
HUMAN & SOCIAL SERVICES
Serving residents of all ages through a wide variety of programs
Aging & Youth Services
The 2026 budget includes grant funding to enhance youth sports programs that support the health and well-being of children and youth.
The County’s Youth Development Program provides grants to municipalities and nonprofit, community-based organizations with youth programs that provide quality recreation, social and/or skill-building opportunities.
Youth Development Program: $420,088.00
• Youth Development Program: $202,798.00
• Youth Sports & Education: $120,611.00
• TEAMS: $96,679.00
OPEN SPACE & TRAILS
Preserving open space and enhancing quality of life
Planning & Economic Development
The Saratoga County Farmland and Open Space Grant Program helps permanently protect agricultural and open space lands including farmland, natural areas, wildlife habitats, preserves, and other important open spaces within Saratoga County.
The Local Trails Grant program provides funding to towns to enhance or develop trails.
The 2026 proposed budget includes:
• Farmland and Open Space: $375,000
• Local Trails Grant program: $100,000
