Changing charter could mean tax increase

I am supporting the current commission form of government which has once again come under attack.

My major concern is that Saratoga Springs’ residential and commercial property taxes will be forced to increase by changing to a costly city manager concept.

When property taxes rise, all homeowners, tenants, and businesses that leases space face higher costs. Even tourists who provide substantial revenue to our city suffer since all hotels, motels, and B&B’s must pay tax increases and are then forced to pass these increases along to their customers.

It is critical in arriving at an informed vote to look at who in this proposed city manager/ council form of government decides how much taxes we’ll have to pay.

In the manager/council government, power is centralized in the unelected city manager, who controls the entire budgeting process. The city manager develops the budget and provides all information to the elected council persons, who will be voting on our taxes in the dark.

Currently we have a successful method involving the elected Finance Commissioner who prepares the budget after all council members have developed their budget requests. After due process including public workshops, an official budget is developed and voted on by knowledgeable City Council members. It is important to know that the NY State Comptroller’s report states that Saratoga Springs has the second lowest tax rate of all NY State cities.

Are you ready to pull the plug for a replacement form of government which will increase your taxes? I’m not. Miriam G. Scarborough

Saratoga Springs