The City of Saratoga Springs unveiled its capital program recommendations for the coming year on Friday, Aug. 14, and the city’s tough financial situation was reflected in the fact it was the most austere proposal in recent memory.
As per city charter, the recommendations were drafted by a committee chaired by Mayor Scott Johnson consisting of representatives from each city department. The resulting proposal called for $1.65 million to be bonded in 2010, $400,000 of which would be covered by a separate water fund.
The figure is well below what has been recommended or adopted in the past two years. In 2008, the City Council included $13.3 million of capital programs in the budget, and included $2.15 million the following year.
Obviously, the current economy is the driving force behind these recommendations, said Johnson, who added that the committee is suggesting only the most important items.
`These are projects that if we did not undertake in the year 2010, there would be a risk towards providing essential services,` he said.
The committee recommended six items for 2010. Topping the list was $400,000 to start renovations to the Canfield Casino, which would include improving handicapped access and making repairs to the roof and foundation. The city has been looking to improve the historic building for some time.
`There are a number of structural issues there, on both the interior and exterior,` said Public Works Commissioner Anthony `Skip` Scirocco, who went on to note that any improvements made to the casino can be considered a wise investment, as the city rents out the building for a variety of events.
`The city generates a lot of revenue from the structure,` he said.
An additional $300,000 per year for five years was suggested for continuing casino renovations.
Replacing parts of the visitor center, also an historic building, made it to second on the list. For $175,000, roof and faCade repairs would be undertaken.
`This is a relatively modest amount to maintain this structure as we move forward,` said Johnson.
The other four items recommended for 2010, in descending priority:
$300,000 for the purchase of a sewer cleaning vacuum truck. The current truck is outdated.
$200,000 toward repairs and upgrades to city buildings and facilities. This item is always included in the capital program and would cover various projects.
$400,000 to replace antiquated water mains. This cost would come out of the city’s water budget.
$175,000 to purchase a new sewer jet truck for cleaning sewer lines. The current truck was made in 1991.
Some of the bigger and more controversial projects that have long been under consideration were placed in a separate section stipulating that they will only be pursued upon the receipt of grant funds.
Included among those items were a new public safety building (estimated at $11.7 million), an eastside fire station (estimated at $4.4 million) and the beginning phase development of waterfront property on Saratoga Lake (estimated at $442,180).
Several improvements to recreational facilities ` including an $85,000 replacement of bleachers at the eastside rec facility that were closed due to safety issues ` will be contingent upon receipt of funds from the school district, which owns the facilities and reimburses the city for their upkeep.
The capital program budget plots program spending for the next six years, though in practice anything past the coming year is often altered. The committee put several big-ticket items on the docket for 2011, including $2 million for a water tower, $450,000 for an expansion of the compost facility and $700,000 for an emergency generator at the water treatment plant. The suggested amount to be bonded in 2011 was $5.8 million.
The city is limited in its charter to bonding $65 million at any one time. Over $38.7 million of that limit remains.
The public will have a chance to comment on the capital budget on three occasions: Monday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m. and Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 6:30 p.m., before that month’s first City Council meeting, where it is possible the capital program budget will be voted on.
The 2010 budget must be finalized and passed by Nov. 30. Officials have said that this year’s budget process will be particularly difficult, as the city will almost certainly be facing a budget gap due to declining tax revenues and the loss of state VLT aid dollars.
Johnson said that the capital programs committee will meet monthly throughout the year from now on, having previously convened for the sole purpose of drafting the recommendations. He said he hopes the process will go more smoothly if the committee meets more regularly.
`I believe it’s more efficient to keep a handle on it year-round,` he said.“