Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Saratoga public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
3 issues in taxes budget with low priority
Transportation Impact Fee study
The city is spending $85,000 to study charging new development a transportation impact fee to fund road and transit infrastructure. Findings come back to council in 4-6 months.
Council and Commission Expense Reimbursement Policy
The council updated its 2015 expense policy to let members take a city laptop and phone or claim up to $1,500 per term for work-related costs. Supporters said members shouldn't pay out of pocket for a volunteer job; critics worried about taxpayer cost and vague categories like internet reimbursement.
City Council Compensation
Council members earn $250 a month — unchanged since the early 1990s and well below neighboring cities — but every member said raising it now is wrong given budget pressures and the volunteer nature of the job.