The 2017 Winter edition of Saratoga’s quarterly newsletter focuses on Saratoga's bright fiscal future by detailing the City's annual budget, capital improvement projects, upcoming events, and more!

1. SARATOGAN
the
winter 2017
The City of Saratoga ended last fiscal year in a strong financial
position, with property and sales tax revenues exceeding expectations and
operating expenditures lower than anticipated. Net operations resulted in
distributing $1.4 million to capital improvement projects, and $500,000 to
reserves.
With the improved economy, the current year’s budget reflects the City
Council’s continuing commitment to fund services at pre-recessionary
levels,and enhance the quality of life in the Saratoga community. Priorities
include heightened roadway maintenance, code compliance, community
events, communication outreach, and the implementation of public safety
programs.
The City Council is careful and thoughtful in its budget development,
and this practice will continue to make Saratoga an even better place for
the people who live, work, and visit the community, as well as ensuring the
City maintains financial stability in present and future years.
Bright Fiscal Future
Be There!
Learn about the current
state of the city and
upcoming projects at the
As of January 1, it is now illegal
to hold and operate electronic
devices while driving. Devices
must be mounted on the dash,
center console, or lower corner of
the windshield. Drivers must also
use hands-free technology, such
as Bluetooth or voice command.
Keep track of crime in your area.
Visit www.crimereports.com
Be notified when emergencies
happen in your area. Sign up at
www.sccgov.org/sites/alertscc
Quick Tip from
Captain Rich
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reading?
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Visit:
www.saratoga.ca.us/saratogan
Visit:
www.saratoga.ca.us/StateoftheCity
2017 State of the
City Address
on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at
2:00 p.m. in the Civic Theater
Photograph by Tina Case

2. Saratoga’s Budget at a Glance
General Fund Revenue Sources: $20.2 Million General Fund Expenditures: $19.7 Million
Property Tax
56%
Sales
Tax
5.6%
Franchise Fees
11.1%
Fees, Licenses
& Permits
7.4%
Charge for
Services
9.1%
Local Taxes,
Interest &
Rentals
10.8%
Salaries & Benefits
38.5%
Consultant
&
Contract
Services
11.8%
Sheriff's Services
26.3%
Operational
Support
12.9%
Schools (Includes ERAF Shift)
65.0%
Santa Clara
County
13.0%
Fire
District
10.2%
Other
Special
Districts
4.7%
Property Tax is Saratoga’s largest revenue source. However, Saratoga is a “low tax” city, meaning it receives
the minimum allocation allowed by State law. Due to this low-tax status, City services are limited. Saratoga
operates with a small staff and many functions are delivered by contract. As the below illustration shows,
the City receives only about six cents of every Property Tax dollar residents pay.
Countywide Sales Tax
Passed by voters
in November 2016,
Measure B will go into
effect on April 1, 2017.
Once it becomes effective,
the sales and use tax rate
for the City of Saratoga
is anticipated to increase
to 9.0%. This funding
will be used for road
repairs and transportation
improvements to provide
commute relief in Santa
Clara County.
City of
Saratoga
6.0%
Saratoga Property Tax Distribution
*Agency distribution varies by property tax district
Water
District
1.6%
Saratoga’s General Fund budget provides for the City’s primary operations.
The charts below represent the FY 2016/17 revenue and expenditure budgets by category.
UAL
2.5%
Community
Events & Grants
1.2%
Operational Charges
& Supplies
6.8%

3. Capital Improvements
Annual Roadway Improvements
Project Timeline: Ongoing
The City invested $1.5 million in the Annual Roadway
Improvements project this year. This program funds
ongoing street resurfacing and maintenance repairs for
the City’s 135 miles of roadway, including the Pavement
Management Program (PMP). The PMP plays a key role in
extending the lifetime of roadways and minimizes the need
for larger and more costly maintenance in the future. The
2016 PMP was primarily focused on roads in the northern
part of Saratoga and the 2017 PMP will begin this spring.
Website Redesign
Project Timeline: Fall 2016 - Spring 2017
This project will update the City's website to incorporate
advancements in technology and design, bringing improved
structure and navigation, a new appearance, translation
options, and mobile-friendly access to better help the
public navigate the City's website and access information.
Prospect Road Improvement Project
Construction Begins: Spring 2017
This project will improve a 1.9-mile section of Prospect
Road between Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and Lawrence
Expressway. Upgrades include median landscaping,
ADA-compliant ramps, sidewalks, bus shelters, and
bicycle detector loops. About 88% of this $4.75 million
project will be paid for through OBAG grant funding.
Citywide Transportation Needs Assessment
Project Timeline: Fall 2016 - Spring 2017
This $50,000 project will investigate transportation
needs for the City based on a comprehensive look at all
demographics, including senior transportation needs.
The study will look at destination patterns of Saratoga
residents as well as opportunities and constraints connected
to public transportation. Opportunities to expand the
study with other West Valley cities will be explored.
For more detailed information on these and other projects, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/currentprojects
The City of Saratoga has an ongoing process through which it identifies, prioritizes, and develops a multi-year plan
for major capital projects. “Capital Improvement Plan” projects enhance the quality of life in Saratoga by upgrading
the City’s roadways, parks, facilities, and other infrastructure.These projects are approved by the City Council
during the budget process and many are funded through grants.

4. To learn more about The Saratogan,make comments,suggest story ideas,or just ask a question,contact
Lauren Pettipiece at lpettipiece@saratoga.ca.us or 408.868.1275. You can also find The Saratogan
online and sign up for email alerts at www.saratoga.ca.us/saratogan.
CI
TY of SARATO
GA
CA LI F O R NIA
1956
Ask Our Staff featuring Mary Furey
Have a question? Send your question(s) to lpettipiece@saratoga.ca.us or call (408) 868-1275.
Q: I noticed a recent City Council agenda item to review and accept the City’s annual audit.
What is the City’s annual audit?
A: After the conclusion of the City’s fiscal year (July 1st – June 30th), the City completes
closing entries and finalizes the financial records. Independent auditors conduct an
audit of the City’s financial records in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards to ensure legal and fiscal accountability to the public. The City then prepares a
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report that presents:
- General information on the City’s financial structure, services, and activities
- Audited basic financial statements and required supplementary information
- Statistical data on trend and nonfinancial information
Saratoga has received the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting award for 22 straight years, ensuring the City’s financial reports meet
high standards in governmental accounting and financial reporting. Annual reports by fiscal year are
available online at www.saratoga.ca.us/audit
Mary Furey is the Finance and Administrative Services Director for the City of Saratoga. She is responsible
for overseeing Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology.
&Q A
Mark Your Calendar!
Community Event & Street Closure
Grant Programs Applications
Available: January 18
Due: March 1
www.saratoga.ca.us/eventgrants
Neighborhood Watch
Grant Program Applications
Available: Now, while funds last
www.saratoga.ca.us/stayingsafe
Silicon Valley Clean Energy
(SVCE) Enrollment
All existing PG&E custombers will
be automatically enrolled into SVCE
in three phases, beginning in
April 2017. To learn more and view
your options, visit
www.svcleanenergy.org/
Preventing Package Theft
• Request a signature upon delivery.
• Have packages shipped to work or a trusted
neighbor/friend who will be home.
• Send packages to secured locations
for pick up - USPS, FedEx, UPS, and
Amazon Locker offer options.
• Call 911 to report suspicious activity.
• Don’t forget to have your mail and newspaper
delivery stopped while you are away.
Storm Preparation
• Clean gutters on a regular basis to
direct water away from homes.
• Utilize sandbags to keep water off your
property. Pre-filled sandbags are available at
the City's Corporation Yard during business
hours. The City also has a 24-hour sandbag
station outside of the Corporation Yard.
• Report fallen trees, landslides, and
flooding on roads and public property:
Emergencies: 911
Weekdays (6am-3:30pm):
City of Saratoga at (408) 868-1245
Weeknights (after 3:30pm) & Weekends:
Santa Clara County Communications at
(408) 299-2507