Saratoga council approves $4 million budget

The Saratoga Town Council passed the 2014/2015 budget on the third reading at their June 17 meeting.

Ordinance 826 provides the income necessary to finance the 2014-2015 fiscal budget, which will raise $4,186,002.80 for the town of Saratoga.

The budget shows an 84 percent increase in expenditures from this fiscal year to last year. Most notably, the sewer department increased from $232,701.00 to $1,561,200.00 this year. The 571 percent increase in expenditures for the sewer department is due to the outfall transmission line project, which increased expenses by $1,050,000.00.

According to the town of Saratoga’s budget, there is an expected $3,241,445.50 in expenditures with a $58,426.50 expected loss in general funds

The town of Saratoga is expecting a $528,278.38 increase in revenues for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. A large portion of that money arrives from grants for projects.

Local resident Leon Hetherington asked why the Recreation Administration department saw an increase of $50,000 this year. Recreation Department director Lisa Burton said the large increase was due to the transfer of an employee from streets to recreation. The funds were transferred out of the streets department to the recreation administration.

Saratoga resident Greg Cooksey said he was not happy with the increased expenditures in the town’s budget. He said the town should be happy with the extra income they are receiving, and stop raising fees.

“Instead, you are raising the cable franchise fee 3 percent, you are raising the franchise fee (for Carbon Power and Light) … ,” he said. “We are your employers; you do not, should not be able to dictate to us. You should live within the budget that you have, and if you can’t, be like a business: cut expenses.”

Cooksey said the franchise fees the town is imposing on Carbon Power and Light are taxes to residents.

The town council or mayor John Zeiger did not respond to Cooksey’s comments. The town passed the ordinance unanimously, with Wilcoxson absent from the meeting.

Pest problems

The wind has created problems for town of Saratoga crews and their battle with the mosquitoes.

Town engineer Chuck Bartlett said his crews fogged for mosquitoes on June 12, but strong winds have made fogging impossible.

“We could try to fog in the morning, but at 35 degrees, that doesn’t do us any good,” Bartlett said.

Several residents have complained the mosquitoes are becoming a nuisance. The town has since fogged for mosquitoes late last week, and plans for additional sprays this week

Pending Litigation

The Saratoga Town Council voted 3 to 1 in favor of denying the governmental claims act filed by former Saratoga town treasurer Lynda Healey.

Healey, who was the treasurer from 2009, was terminated from her position in 2012. Her attorney, Jonathan Schnal, said the claim the town council voted on was with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC had previously decided in favor of the town of Saratoga. Schnal said Healey was steered through the wrong channels.

“The matter will proceed,” Schnal said.

Schnal said they have submitted a claim for wrongful termination and denial of due process in accordance of state statutes.

Saratoga Town Attorney Tom Thompson declined to comment because the matter is still in litigation.

The next town council meeting will take place 6 p.m. on July 1 at Saratoga Town Hall.