Verbal Comment - Gus Who NEWS 3
Saratoga' s 2025 Planning
a thriving and resilient future
By BelalAftab, continues to thrive while discussing options to increase €lifice in Washington, D.C., to
Saratoga Mayor preparing for the financial funding for hillside stability advocate for federal support
challenges ahead. projects, which help prevent to ensure Saratoga has the
Saratoga operates on a fiscal erosion and landslides.Investing resources to protect our homes
Each year, our City Council year that runs from July 1 to in our neighborhoods will protect and open spaces. (Fun fact: ijot
carefully crafts a budget that June 30. Our city budget is homes and infrastructure while Congressman Liccardo grew up •
balances essential services with approximately $30 million for preserving the natural beauty in Saratoga!) - '
P
emerging challenges. As we a population of about 31,000 that makes Saratoga special. Beyond these priorities, we
move forward in 2025, I want residents. Like all cities in A dynamic Saratoga benefits must also address a significant
to take a moment to update California, Saratoga receives everyone. One initiative under financial challenge: Saratoga's
you on our city's financial only a small portion of the discussion is expanding the structural deficit. Our main
outlook and the discussions property taxes collected—just Secured Community Event Grant sources of revenue—property
underway to ensure Saratoga 6.7 cents of every dollar. This Program,which supports projects taxes and service fees—are
remains safe, vibrant, and means we must be thoughtful that bring people together. not keeping pace with rising
fiscally responsible. Budget in how we allocate resources Additionally, we are looking at costs. For example, public
season is a time for reflection to maintain essential services ways to enhance our downtown safety contracts have increased Saratoga Mayor Belal Aftab
and planning — it is when we while addressing new and vibrancy and are welcoming by nine percent annually, and
align our financial resources ongoing priorities. new ideas from residents and insurance costs have jumped the City Council will consider
with our community's needs I'll discuss a few priorities businesses on how we can by 30 percent. These growing feedback from residents to help
and priorities. None of the and how they're reflected in our improve our shared spaces. expenses require us to make guide our choices. I encourage
items discussed here are final budget within this article. Recent wildfires in California difficult choices. you to stay engaged—attend
decisions; they remain under Traffic safety remains a top have underscored the importance A city budget is more than meetings (see page 2 of this
consideration as part of our concern, particularly for our of preparation. While Saratoga just numbers—it is a reflection Outlook), share your thoughts,
ongoing budget process. children. Our Safe Routes to is making efforts to reduce of our values. While some and be part of the process.
This process starts with a School program, which helps "fire risk, it's important to note services are mandated, others By working together, we
retreat in January, where we kids walk and bike safely, is that the responsibility for fire provide immense value to our can make informed decisions
discuss citywide priorities that being considered for continued prevention lies primarily with quality of life. At some point, that keep Saratoga strong for
the Council and city staff have investment. We are also the Santa Clara County Fire we will need to make strategic years to come. The decisions
identified. Through a series of implementing traffic calming Department, which receives 14 decisions to ensure financial we make today will shape the
meetings and hearings with measures across the city and cents of every dollar in property stability, whether through Saratoga of tomorrow,ensuring
the City Council and Finance reviewing a proposal for a new tax revenue. That said, the City proactive cost-saving measures its vibrancy and resilience for
Advisory Committee meetings, traffic signal at Herriman Avenue Council is considering allocating or more urgent adjustments in future generations.
we take in recommendations to address community concerns. an additional $200,000 toward the future. To get in touch with Mayor
from staff and community Saratoga's neighborhoods wildfire prevention efforts to As we navigate these Aftab, you can contact him at
feedback before ultimately are the foundation of our further enhance safety in our financial discussions, baftab@saratoga.ca.us.
adopting a budget by the end of community. To ensure their community.In January,I visited community input is critical.
June that will ensure Saratoga long-term resilience, we are Congressman Sam Liccardo's Over the next few months,
•
•
•
gaga...,,
AM
Saralog,I's 2O2- budget: Planning for
a thriving and resilient future Sarat s NEWS 3
•,M Agas2Qz5bled
a 9 B 0l5Afbh gals . th get: Planning for
..�•gaga. ... a ,y�
each year,our Un _eta e�,a,Wi w Ml Om ants r lam• r 1 resilient balances cam+nine w Ow• .a.car ,. l' yr t_.ylr.. __ Ir•mew.
z e s 111 e n t future
balances r„'n,I servlcerwltA ............ ..
�lK•NN�i,Y� lam. riY [••rr•�•IAr+�.n C.
nq-r Ie¢...As Yw r,.. lr„t. •Is�l
re..":tans 1 w. p"+g+,••r R18m t�e.wr. r alga.,.•... B}'HClal Ahab,
MIR\ ...r a moment.npaa'r cad..`�Al rew r 4�,�Ma,1•r♦>•r r. �•,...••Y•++•.
ownnn gain nay,it'ntri"n, ry•`•'�•m......
r' '�_n"a� 1 'r+`. `""•".' Saratoga Mayor preparcontining to thrive while discussing options to increase office in Washington,D.C.,to
to " .warm s...=�-,r .me.re ,.rreamt a.m. w•em � P g for the fin
anc,al p
;m;"„'"to""`""'`"^"*' r,rr+..r..rr MN ta�wr.fr,.�sP� r • challenges funding for hillside stabili advocate for federal support
,de vibrant.,na ••y1 r. tNa/i�l MI bthl gar rw. gaga r., .r,a n•y 6 ahead. protects, which helpty
nt tu ensure Saratoga has the
him inbl^t`responsible .m..r rr..i .,•rre. arr4,.ew•.+RI.• ...... r Each year,our C. Saratoga operates on a fiscal erosion and landslides from .Investing resources to protect our homes
a Ore Mr reflection r ..1.1 w..r.. K,........,.gar— •". nrv.ea carefullycrafts ty Countii year that
ud
ly 1 to in our
iiffm.mil ate msMisaM
•pT'u ,I,o�°rm�.i�nn,n<„i'r when
,we ,. ,r "`t �.t,. gaga,..• �r hr caw anituMn
l,,, m balances es eial services that
June 30. Ours city budget is homes andl bnfrastructur honds lre while ion for Cod open spaces. (Fun fact:
ngressman Lcrardo grew cp
nos e.nm our,emmamrY,else., n w....w e.w.. war-w `the,. ea 1.acn emergingapproximate) g )`ea priorities nor o,re r.,.rpy. , .........N...' .'"m inmates r o+Ra a q challenges. As we a population of about 31 000 that mapreservinke Saraw a the unt dal beauty m Saratoga!)
yond)these prioritie •
s,we
MAriima ,anbr.,a ne,e a,.jell r.arr..1.....1.1. ..r N.lr. '^ mare Man "°" move forward in 2025,I residents. Like all cities in dynamic significant
.mawn,:n.y r,m,m cnarr ,,u.......gaga..- •.a gaga.r...sf.,... m"a,aw.ta. omrn,l, yrr th,n+,rs to take a want g so
..,n,laemt",a,pan,e gar gaga. ."......+•r"•..o... °iMar woe ,. .p.oaa.p•... moment to u d
or,gn'x butlga pr^r,,. -r�d r.•re... nr.m„aa.a amens w king mgwn...' you on our ct path onlf(o California, Saratoga receives everyone.One�nitiauv benefitsunder financial challenges Saratoga's
This Moth."caw with. gaga, wnlm car. •+t+rns.r..er ;,, ,mmmm,gabs r., .an mar cmm.a a«wr., outlook and ty's financial y a small,n lann.ry where we has realk r bike+aeli . 6 w�.Y gaga P• discussions
rums rnywae mmntle,tea lain cicala tor continued gaga�,raa wrens.nk wan a we.u,"„•oar. mu Melt Am..+raw w, the ro portion of the discussion is expanding the structural deficit. Our main
• iw faunal and my staff have investment we,re also —s,o rt•n cam r,r we r,i and v" ..mrep ... ,"agar TM!".."' 'underway to ensure Saratoga P property taxes collected—just Secured Community Even[GmnC sources of revenue—properly
_ u,a.m r emm.nM1,mm,,. r, roar.,,w map,, re.andd me cents of eve dollar.This Program whichsupporispmMcts taxes and seance fees—are
m,a"w a�j,areeirinm �a ,,�a1eme"trK^ra canning
•'v^„ Y r.r�t. b11nY.rl,ethrr "we ser.w• e7sei �m remains safe, vibrant, very
the City co,m,a and s"' .r..""n ap,woa. in„ew r--....,-r, o n.r,. ..r.nemr,:,,,... fiscally responsible. Bud et in has we must be thoughtful that bring people together. not kee •
m
`ma g`M^�"" Mine season is a time for reflection y F g pace with rising
Adamry ramm,ttn meem,e. "an4•y,al.bnminwn Alan" •udr.+•�..�+"'. "'R""""'""'nb'" °ern.n,n rwm^ again+ g in how we allopte resources Additionail,we are looking at costs. For example, public
take m...cmmem+in•n. roaaaa..cmm„mry,u,xerns .•are....sapA..•'••+ a'• m.lwe less. `^" `" and tannin to maintain essential screte s waysto enhance our downtown safety contracts have increased
.1;Cr from staff and.ommon,ty Saratoga n.�aM1nn,hma. -�w. .1 aubnaa,nn.. A align planning
—it is when we
while addressing new and vibrancy and are welcoming by nine percent annually,and ,amrseir sfOj°r '
feedback tiller,we�m,nn are mr'nnm"nn a our - ' gn our financial resources ongoing priorities.
ae"pnnga wags M,w`a„a," "re.T tea•. �..e.•i•"-r 1i1ei' '"'�'t°`°�?"�"`"'", new ideas from residents and Insurance costs have jumped the City Council will consider
v,em,.,^�.. with our community's needs 1'II discuss a few priorities businesses on how we can by30
.gain lune that gain mean-Saratoga a �rmt -m. gaga. ore - and riorities. None of the
ent These
_ _ and how they're reflected m our improve our shared spaces. expenses
crequire us to make wing feedback
dl encourage
LP l[1{l [ i'IS1if1Ei �ii C�ie1,S items discussed here are final
l i ft Iron];�rtliti i•Watt!, s _ decisions; they remain under budget within this article. Recent wildfires in California difficult choitts
kn"e l /1 as part Traffic safety remains a t:ip have underscored the importance A d budget is more than meetings stasee engaged—attend
transformational learning space ai West l`a� e` ingo buldgetprocess •
of our concern. particularly for our of preparation.While Saratoga lust numbers—it
it is a reflection Outlook),share your thoughts
children. Our Safe Routes to is making efforts to reduce of our values. While some and be part of the process.
This process starts with a School program, which helps fire risk,it's important to note services are mandated,others By working together, we
inn wane and an " y y,;,,a. _ - + }etreat in January, where we kids walk and bike safely, is that the responsibility for fire provide immense value to our can make inng tog decisions
ctarceepon mw„h,a the mba wa`o •r•11+4..Ale.•r,.r•ri . y `iscuss Citywide priorities that being considered for Continued prevention lies primarily with quality of life.At some point, that keep Saratoga strong for
- Ee°"nnml,"urt'o one�n„� igr,l...g,••p••• he Council and city staff have investment. We are also the Santa Clam County Fire we will need to make strategic years to come.The decisions
nee rein si"nn°',,°biunp„mmsa rinse a mental health ges w,�,gff,•,.lhyr.+.. 11C �iientified.Through a series of implementing traffic calming Department,which receives 14 decisions to ensure financial we make today will shape the
AMuf Wang arts'In'
W N...loran he.onegi, b+•ga � gaga
.ap,ndet upon iV MyColumr "ry g"`Y pd,,,.aed vwheyie. JN,r.W.g sad Q.gb•b' • reetings and hearings with measures across the city and cents ofeverydollarin property stability, whether through Saratoga of tomorrow,ensuring
ypport of West weer College tpE5P1.in 3o V.may _
wed a gemrou,,'moon' Program e Arthur Wang an
IntbM M>a.•et„ _ 'ate City Council and Finance reviewing a proposal for a new tax revenue.That said,the Cit
y or more
cost-saving measures its vibrancy and resilience for
e.npport me.ran:a:,new een,nna a"S,wne p,den. ^+'" � 'dvisory Committee meetings, traffic signal at Herrian Avenue Council is consideren allocatin or more urgent adjustments in future generations.
wmm"I". g' J considering allocating 'B 1
so-+' i,cannngnrmura wm,s«,s,S a,an'nn"wbw re.MMees ;e take in recommendations to address community concerns. an additional$200,000 toward the future. To get in touch with Mayor
a'"'" m,npg„�,' n• ram'h'S Valley's
da.,mum urn eels. jiom staff and community Saratoga's neighborhoods wildfire prevention efforts to As we navigate these Attab,you can contact him at
rasa millers Ice Westeyl rain u.,t gla bier)nip^'na M1hd • •"• •edback before ultimately are the foundation of our further enhance safety in our financial discussions,
•
i0 0 m"""" comeuray 'n"n,'t"'new P'Imsia the MOMg ent.,r•g e,„ ioptinga budget by the end of community. To ensure their community.In January,I visited community input is critical.
bp.ny Distr.,will mine Its newts' rnbrn,h en en..rnent for,. b .. ... Aa e•�•_•"^".'.�.
"owns buhtY+wen binary ne that will ensure Saratoga long-term resilience, we are Congressman Sam Liccardo's Over the next few months,
'tln8 ' rt u Farp,y lutvrc need,othr Learn ,,.wwg"r.m•r+.;
CWyge the Wane 0 o ,a tom - pr Idea^seta,v' rn A ,att Vice Chancellor ui it
Learning 8ewurce Cum a anuur � iLe��,� Ad.an.rment.Arthur and
-Weave mcrednbly thanklul g.lr. ... 'miler
-We are happy m beaaum to MhurWangal°a r r,mtl p,ngy,d,nnrnd nm.m"t+
to
won
Valley Cdleg, ''''''''''"di''''''''''''."":
or then wadtan mmmimwno n'II.�••nalr p^m. ,"b„et oar"` ,trcngthens Munn,
of, mpnrt tee Ina.' m0n.how eau i__d� ay..,• n a sh Yt..... t Ia. a,M1leve cur r,wtal, and
n Iry gnaw„g,a5lh. amnd�ont ea par v •. wart nuragn clears
--"'"l+r fi,°p°r'Pr°.. ' i vanes Colter:.,d M RI odunth •a.N••h.. towd,n,•"gaga...
.ray opportuNue,'r our Mil'
retail De I.,, iay,,,,cd r gdglr•.itms Z f1�.r toP'^p1i ,.�11•tr.Fy,
gaga Our'''" I,p prescient otWnt Valley C r• Win' �•rlthrvn n• t
...�p,me rlur,on With thin,phdanmmpn r
____ __-- gaga gaga...as"uu—ri iiit)is-'H"r Ili l�iFti 1%
PON Pear
/1
- WP—5/0e ,./ta
WOO* 4 ! R7 0 L ,..
ar„n, :Daarrraa+aw•tllew lRµe•Wlk rrrr f
f Villa e..ntaa ow *OWu ._.-..
a/,ar4 N brw eats whe•pee.4w 11.•e/t I Mr
—Vrar4 pi
SOW 3 ert'.a[M
T 911►1s7 bee..Pe r as my t ear B.cexo-r0 netOed I find torte.welt at 1 and. r Mph nraa 1111Q lye rdw{..14 in,ry are*boa I read
—5/19,14 rawer.'Pew I oat
— 5/3Ur3 e— R Pm tired and To back toles 1-land with tnn�
-5/tO113 T
—5/11r13 it
• Va1a11 II Ian Ill
5/l7/14
• 511a,13 uut..nr do au feel own,.be a m419r war comb nen wr,tlV M q. ./tan..ee /Pa,{yeah elavaa.me
Warta
1:ill'.soma
- V19/11
V7{r13 I find m1[eil n tin underpouM Care type sett".. i•I V V r.mvt.'.^/a,peepe e•r.ab•y on lop S.cref
^67d13
proJM'tal There Is a paurastr control wine,pelsnp p`e.ivnt'ooe`as sale scat or'dpe0o'apar{Nay h b911
g03r3 narked an An this Is all adze by Macon.:will whin CM meth tree,®nr n.q around the manaet ',try es
/t? the/taped°with Dark Patter I Keh,n s darn srr0iel l but I fee a,as a shadow-as Can sense its-ands! .as
—V03113- 610a/t1 they all let behind ple N taylass.M tire the torpedo out the cape
. lk0e/11
- bmerl3 I then bet an knee a my mild of itcom.tp out Of this Care under the ocean at saber non speed lace dear,a 30en
- b,01 r3 pall macro.pine at nl{nt with the Penn out to all the world.aMM8n the ha.i nits a Country it lights up tee eat..
e/+e/1l cpanry Q as lessees of about a Oxen cdaRrin pop up in am mn&eV..r•r road rattle,dli the flat fauna,tell
.etl 0113
dtp/ta Urn. .like Meng dot 160 learn., SI T U a It C V-re spelled out.n 4 shadow Dark Matter we, et R
d13/1' n5n Wield the row of the Countries flwOMno Iym could o
r f I e tee Desk Matte•WIN bran utoe •.
e a,sofatoll1 r•als• anent{poker.
mvrl
Vidal ,then had myWl naps{the grow of people Met are nett to ne What happen eaten fret Dark Matter IMO sure/
. Vier• corm beck or traced pack)•et I was thinking it wou[d napf,M erM.•wrrA
bier,
.•u,3
titan]
a.eft
b ieril 5R7/13
V,a '
vldd
Ylrrl FIG p.w ,a aa• ,rpprraDw
eal1r a °i'�aa�1 r
waft l unread owP.awe la fen,r*al pa
1 a s----•r.vv.-Fri
II error ,,.e.�
l�Vai
SELF INFLICTWOUN11
E .
,,,,
s
k•
. . 4
lifl . ' . r
'Ilig - elP - • .
li
•
•
•
•
•
-..-------,„, •
iipiivll°111_ 11 14.11 •